Daijiworld Media Network - New Delhi
New Delhi, Oct 28: The National Pharmaceutical Pricing Authority (NPPA) on Wednesday released a revised list of maximum retail prices (MRPs) for 543 brands of anti-cancer medicines, following its recent trade margin rationalisation initiative aimed at making cancer treatment more affordable and accessible across the country.
The revised MRPs will come into effect from November 9, 2026, the Ministry of Chemicals and Fertilizers said.
“The National Pharmaceutical Pricing Authority (NPPA), under the Department of Pharmaceuticals, Ministry of Chemicals and Fertilizers, has released a list of 543 brands of anti cancer medicines with their revised Maximum Retail Price (MRP). The revised MRPs will be effective from November 9, 2026,” the ministry said in a statement.
The updated price list incorporates information submitted by pharmaceutical companies up to October 27, 2026. It will continue to be revised as manufacturers submit updated prices for non-scheduled anti-cancer drugs, the ministry added.
The move follows the NPPA's October 17 announcement on trade margin rationalisation for 137 non-scheduled anti-cancer medicines in the public interest.
The initiative aims to curb excessive trade margins across the supply chain, reduce treatment costs for patients and improve access to essential cancer medicines.
Following the announcement, manufacturers were directed to submit revised pricing details to the regulator. The latest MRP list reflects the information received so far.
The 137 medicines covered under the trade margin rationalisation exercise include several widely used cancer therapies. These include immunotherapy drugs prescribed for more than 20 types of cancer, Denosumab used in the treatment of breast and prostate cancer patients, Pegfilgrastim for preventing neutropenia among cancer patients, and Bevacizumab, which is approved for treating colon, ovarian and cervical cancers.
The Department of Pharmaceuticals said the revised list of 543 anti-cancer medicine brands is available on the NPPA portal. The list will be updated continuously as additional manufacturers submit revised pricing information.