Prices of drugs to be revised from today

Vijayawada: Prices of scheduled and non-scheduled drugs are likely to be revised by the National Pharmaceutical Pricing Authority based on wholesale price index from April 1. The prices would rise up to 12.12 per cent for scheduled drugs and upto 10 per cent for non-scheduled drugs from April 1.

NPPA carries out a revision of prices of both scheduled and non-scheduled drugs at the start of every financial year based on wholesale price index (WPI), effective from April 1. Accordingly, the price of a majority of drugs will go up while the prices of some drugs might come down.

The change in price will be applicable only to the fresh batch of medicines and not to the medicines already stocked in the pharmacies.

The department of industry and internal trade of the Union ministry of commerce and industry worked out the annual change in the WPI to be 12.12 per cent during the calendar year 2022, over the corresponding period in 2021.

The Centre has announced the National List of Essential Medicines, 2022. All such medicines fall under the category of scheduled drugs whose prices are to be revised up to a maximum of 12.12 per cent from the prevailing price.

Nearly 1,000 drugs including 600 formulations and various strengths fall under the scheduled drugs and these include: medicines used in anesthesia, analgesics, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, the anti-allergy drugs, antidotes, medicines used in neurological disorders, anti-cancer agents including immune-suppressives, cardiovascular and dermatological drugs, gastrointestinal medicines, ophthalmological medicines, medicines for neonatal care, medicines used for psychiatric treatment, vitamins and minerals, medicines for ear, nose and throat, hormones and other endocrine medicines and medicines used for Covid-19 management etc.

NPPA reduced prices of some scheduled/non-scheduled drugs in December last  and these prices are also likely to be revised.

The high WPI is a major cause of concern. It was in single digit earlier and even registered negative during the Covid19 phase. During that time, there was not much impact on the revision of prices of essential drugs as the margin of increase in price was relatively less.

People suffering from chronic and multiple diseases are the worst-hit. Their monthly expenditure on medicines will go up once the revised price comes into effect.

Retired bank employee V. Johnson said, “My monthly budget for medicines is nearly '10,000 as I have multiple health issues. Now I may have to pay more.”