Health · Healthcare & Policy · 8 hrs ago
Delhi High Court pauses NPPA action against AstraZeneca over inhaler pricing
The Delhi High Court temporarily stopped the NPPA from taking coercive action against AstraZeneca Pharma India to recover more than Rs 151 crore.
The case concerns Symbicort Turbuhaler, an inhaler used to treat asthma.
The NPPA alleges the company overcharged for it between May 2016 and November 2025, under rules that control prices of some medicines.
AstraZeneca denies selling the inhaler above the applicable price.
The judge said the company had made an initial case that the inhaler may not be covered by those price-control rules.
The order lasts until January 11, when the court is due to hear the matter again, and the NPPA has been asked to respond.
The Delhi High Court has temporarily restrained the National Pharmaceutical Pricing Authority from taking coercive action against AstraZeneca Pharma India to recover more than Rs 151 crore in an alleged drug overcharging case.
The restraint will remain in effect until January 11, the next hearing date.
The court said AstraZeneca had made a prima facie case that its Symbicort Turbuhaler 160/4.5 inhaler may not be covered by price controls.
The NPPA alleges pricing violations from May 2016 to November 2025.
AstraZeneca denies selling the inhaler above the price fixed for such formulations.
- Who
- The Delhi High Court, the NPPA and AstraZeneca Pharma India.
- What
- The court temporarily restrained the NPPA from taking coercive action to recover more than Rs 151 crore over alleged overcharging for an inhaler.
- When
- The restraint lasts until January 11, the next hearing date. The alleged violations covered May 2016 to November 2025.
- Where
- Delhi, India.
- Why
- AstraZeneca challenged the NPPA action, arguing that its inhaler may not fall within the category of drugs subject to price controls.
NPPA
AstraZeneca Pharma India
Alleged pricing violations
NPPA
The NPPA alleged that AstraZeneca overcharged for the inhaler between May 2016 and November 2025.
AstraZeneca Pharma India
AstraZeneca denied selling it above the price fixed for such formulations.
Applicability of price controls
NPPA
The NPPA issued a notice alleging violations under the Drugs (Price Control) Order, 2013.
AstraZeneca Pharma India
AstraZeneca argued that the inhaler may not fall within the category of drugs whose prices are controlled under the order.
The NPPA alleged that pricing violations occurred during this period.
The Delhi High Court temporarily restrained the NPPA from taking coercive action against AstraZeneca while seeking the authority's response.
The next hearing is scheduled.
- Recovery amount
- More than Rs 151 crore
- Product
- Symbicort Turbuhaler 160/4.5 inhaler
- Alleged violation period
- May 2016 to November 2025
- Next hearing
- January 11
- Relevant order
- Drugs (Price Control) Order, 2013
What people are saying
may not fall within the category of drugs whose prices are controlled under the Drugs (Price Control) Order, 2013