The MRP (maximum retail price) of 36 medicines examined at hospital pharmacies across Uttar Pradesh was found to be more than 10 times their procurement price, with the gap reaching nearly 67 times in one case. The findings of a state-wide inspection by the UP Food Safety and Drug Administration (UPFSDA) showed wide disparities in the prices of several medicines, including injectable drugs used to treat serious infections and critical medical conditions.
The inspection covered 214 pharmacies attached to medical colleges and private hospitals. Of 130 medicines analysed, the widest disparity was found in Polymyxin-B injection (GUFIPOL 500,000 Unit), which was purchased for ₹ 74.09 but carried an MRP of ₹ 4,980.94, nearly 67 times the purchase price, FSDA drug inspector Brijesh Singh said. Another pack, GUFIPOL 5 Lac, was bought for ₹ 90 against an MRP of ₹ 4,528.10, around 50 times higher.
Commissioner FSDA Roshan Jacob said the exercise had brought the pricing structure of medicines sold through hospital pharmacies under scrutiny, particularly costly injectable drugs used to treat serious infections and critical medical conditions.
