Bengaluru: Cancer drugs are now available at significantly lower prices in Bengaluru following the implementation of revised prices for 137 non-scheduled anti-cancer drugs across 543 brands regulated by the National Pharmaceutical Pricing Authority (NPPA) from Monday.While the maximum retail price (MRP) printed on existing stocks may still be higher, stockists, distributors and pharmacists are required to bill medicines at the revised rates.“We will receive fresh stocks only after the existing ones are exhausted. However, pharmaceutical companies have already shared the revised price lists with us, and we are billing medicines accordingly. Hospitals we supply are aware of the price reduction, and a few have also sent us reminders,” said GK Shridhar of Dhanvanthri Pharma Distributors.The price reduction follows the NPPA’s decision to cap trade margins on 137 non-scheduled anti-cancer drugs at 30% of their price to the retailer. The move came amid concerns over excessive mark-ups across the supply chain, with trade margins on some cancer drugs reportedly touching 700%.Unlike scheduled drugs, whose prices are regulated by the govt through fixed ceiling prices, non-scheduled drugs do not have such price caps. The NPPA invoked its powers under Paragraph 19 of the Drugs (Prices Control) Order, 2013, to regulate trade margins in public interest and make cancer treatment more affordable. The revised prices are expected to save consumers around Rs 3,502 crore annually.The extent of the reduction varies across brands depending on the strength, formulation and pack size. For instance, the MRP of a vial of Bevacizumab 100 mg/4 ml, used to treat cancers such as colorectal and lung cancer, has come down from Rs 21,767.70 to Rs 5,930.13, a reduction of 72.8%. Similarly, the price of a strip of 10 Anastrozole 1 mg tablets, used to treat hormone-sensitive breast cancer, has dropped from Rs 695.76 to Rs 73, a cut of nearly 89.5%.Most of these medicines are supplied directly by distributors to hospitals. Some pharmacies also maintain stocks based on demand or specific requests. However, following the announcement of the price revision, several retailers chose not to replenish their stocks until the revised rates came into effect.“To avoid losses, I did not stock any of these medicines. I checked with my distributor on Monday to confirm whether the revised prices had come into effect, and they confirmed it. Patients and their families, hospitals and other stakeholders are aware of the revision. I will start procuring the medicines again as and when orders come in,” said BR Prasad, owner of Prasad Medical, KR Road.Some pharmaceutical companies, however, have assured retailers that they will not incur losses on existing stocks. “Companies have said they will give pharmacists credit for the difference between the price at which they purchased the existing stock and the revised price at which they have to sell it,” said C Jayaram, president of the Karnataka Pharma Retailers and Distributors Organisation (KPRDO).KPRDO issued a circular on Nov 8, directing pharmacies, distributors and stockists across Karnataka to implement the revised prices. It also asked members to verify the new rates, update billing and inventory software, and ensure that existing stocks are sold at the applicable revised MRP.The organisation has cautioned retailers against charging patients more than the revised MRP and urged all stakeholders to ensure uninterrupted availability of anti-cancer medicines during the transition.Meanwhile, the health department is monitoring the implementation of the price revision, health minister UT Khader said.
