Business · Economy · 5 hrs ago
India panel to finalise cancer medicines covered by 30% trade margin cap
An expert panel in India is due to finalise by Wednesday the list of cancer medicines covered by a new 30% cap on trade margins.
The panel includes doctors from Tata Memorial Centre and officials from government health and pharmaceutical agencies.
The cap applies to non-scheduled anti-cancer medicines, including branded and generic, domestic and imported drugs.
The medicines were found to have an average trade markup of about 170%, with some markups as high as 700%.
The government expects the measure to lower some maximum retail prices by 20% to 70% and save patients about ₹2,500 crore a year.
Companies whose medicines are on the list must maintain current production levels to help prevent supply disruptions.
The list may be updated periodically, and companies are expected to reduce prices in line with the cap.
An expert panel is due to finalise by October 14 the cancer medicines covered by a proposed 30% trade margin cap.
The government decided last week to cap trade margins on non-scheduled anti-cancer medicines at 30%.
The measure could reduce the maximum retail prices of some cancer drugs by up to 70% and save patients an estimated ₹2,500 crore a year.
The panel includes doctors from Tata Memorial Centre and officials from several government health and pharmaceutical bodies.
The cap will apply to branded and generic, domestic and imported, and patented and non-patented medicines.
- Who
- An expert panel that includes doctors from Tata Memorial Centre and officials from the NPPA, DoP and DGHS.
- What
- The panel will finalise the list of cancer medicines covered by a proposed 30% trade margin cap.
- When
- The list is due by October 14.
- Where
- India.
- Why
- The measure aims to address excessive trade markups, curb profiteering and make cancer medicines more affordable.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
The government decided to cap trade margins on non-scheduled anti-cancer medicines at 30%.
Experts held meetings to expedite the list-making exercise.
The expert committee under DGHS is due to recommend the list of medicines.
- Trade margin cap
- 30%
- Deadline
- October 14
- Potential annual patient savings
- ₹2,500 crore
- Potential MRP reduction
- Up to 70%
- Cancer medicines market
- Around 225 drugs and 500 formulations
What people are saying
The positive list may be updated periodically based on market developments and public health considerations.
Sources
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