New Delhi, April 03, 2024: Government of India today clarified that reports in a section of media claiming significant hike in prices of medicines are false and misleading.
National Pharmaceutical Pricing Authority (NPPA) annually revises ceiling prices of scheduled medicines on the basis on Wholesale Price Index. Based on WPI increase of 0.00551 per cent, there will be no change in prevailing ceiling prices for 782 medicines while 54 medicines will have a miniscule increase of Rs. 0.01 (one paisa), official sources said.
![](https://static.pib.gov.in/WriteReadData/userfiles/image/IMG-20200407-WA00266WP2.jpg)
The WPI increase is the maximum increase permissible as per Drug Price Control Orders (DPCO) 2013 and manufacturers may or may not avail this miniscule increase in their medicines, it added.
Some media reports have highlighted that medicine prices will witness a significant hike by up to 12 per cent from April, 2024. These reports further claimed that more than 500 medicines will be affected by this increase in price. Such reports are false, misleading and malicious, the Centre clarified.
As per the provisions of Drug Price Control Orders (DPCO) 2013, drugs are categorized as scheduled and non-scheduled formulations. The formulations which are listed in Schedule-I of DPCO 2013 are scheduled formulations and the formulations that are not specified in Schedule-I of DPCO 2013 are non-schedule formulations.
National Pharmaceutical Pricing Authority (NPPA) under the Department of Pharmaceuticals annually revises the ceiling prices of scheduled medicines on the basis of Wholesale Price Index (WPI).
The scheduled medicines included in the Schedule-I of the DPCO, 2013 are essential medicines. During the calendar year 2023 over the corresponding period in 2022, the annual change in WPI with base year 2011-12 was (+) 0.00551% as per data published by Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT). Accordingly, the Authority in its meeting held on 20.03.2024 has approved the WPI increase @ (+) 0.00551% for the scheduled medicines.
The ceiling prices on 923 medicines are effective as on date. Based on the above mentioned WPI factor of (+) 0.00551%, there will be no change in the prevailing ceiling prices for 782 medicines and the existing ceiling prices will continue to prevail up to 31.03.2025.
Fifty-Four (54) medicines with ceiling price ranging from Rs. 90 to Rs. 261 will have miniscule increase of Rs. 0.01(one paisa). As the permissible price increase is miniscule, the companies may or may not avail this increase. Thus, in the year FY 2024-25, there will be almost no change in the ceiling price of medicines based on WPI, they said.
The WPI increase is the maximum increase permissible as per the DPCO, 2013 and the manufacturers may or may not avail this increase, keeping in view the market dynamics.
The companies adjust their Maximum Retail Price (MRP) depending upon the ceiling price of their medicines, as MRP (excluding GST) can be any price which is less than the ceiling price.
The revised prices have been applicable from April 01, 2024 and the detail of revised prices is available on NPPA’s website www.nppaindia.nic.in.
In case of non-scheduled formulation, a manufacturer is at liberty to fix the price. However, no manufacturer of non-scheduled formulation can increase the MRP by more than 10 per cent during preceding 12 months under Para 20 of DPCO, 2013, the Government clarified.
More Stories
CM Sai inaugurates Prayas School at Raigarh
Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Vishnu Dev Sai today inaugurated the first ever ‘Prayas School’ in Raigarh district of Chhattisgarh.
Even after 75 years of Independence Jashpur Village yet to see electricity
Even after 75 years of Independence a primitive tribe dominated village in Jashpur district of Chhattisgarh has not yet been electrified.
9 Maoists shot dead in fierce gun battle in Dantewada
At least nine Maoists were shot dead today in a fierce gun battle with security forces in the world famous high grade iron ore deposit area of Bailadila hills range in Dantewada district of Chhattisgarh, police officers said.
Air Force to procure 240 aero-engines for Su-30 MKI aircraft from HAL
Cabinet Committee on Security today approved the proposal for procurement of 240 aero-engines (AL-31FP) for Su-30 MKI aircraft of the Indian Air Force (IAF).
7th Installment of Mahtari Vandan make Teeja more festive
CM House of Chhattisgarh was today beautifully decorated like a bride to celebrate the traditional Teeja-Pora festival.
NHAI to track 100 toll plazas with GIS-based software
National Highway Authority of India (NHAI) has identified around 100 toll plazas and will monitor through a web-based software the waiting time at these Toll Plazas, where it had received congestion feedback.