The National Pharmaceutical Pricing Authority (NPPA) has revised the maximum retail prices (MRPs) of 543 brands of anti-cancer medicines, with the new rates set to come into effect on November 9. Some medicines have seen price reductions of up to 90%, potentially offering significant relief to cancer patients.
Dr Pragya Shukla HOD Clinical Oncology of Delhi State Cancer Institute, DSCI ( West), “The price reduction has happened for a quote huge range of anti-cancer drugs for example, for Anastrozole, commonly used for breast cancer, Azacitidine (used for blood/bone marrow disorders like myelodysplastic syndromes, and Bevacizumab, approved for colon, ovarian, and cervical cancers treatment and Denosumab used by breast and prostate cancer patients to manage bone metastasis/health. So it is a well appreciated move. An innovation in oncology howsoever pathbreaking can be of use only if it is accessible and affordable for all. This step by NPPA is a major step towards making cancer treatment affordable for a larger population subgroup.
Among the medicines seeing steep price cuts is RPG Life Sciences’ Anarzole, a 1 mg anastrozole tablet used to treat hormone-sensitive breast cancer. The price of a pack of 10 tablets has been reduced from ₹ 695.76 to ₹ 73.
The government had earlier said that the measure is intended to curb excessive trade margins, improve access to treatment and reduce the financial burden on patients. The government said the move aims to curb excessive trade margins, improve access to cancer treatment and reduce the financial burden on patients.
Dr Reddy’s Laboratories’ Azacytin, a 100 mg azacitidine injection, will now cost ₹ 1,495.04, down from ₹ 6,337. Abbott Healthcare’s Bevacizab injection, containing 100 mg of the drug in a 4 ml vial, has seen its price fall from ₹ 21,767.70 to ₹ 5,930.13 per vial. Dr Sandeep Nayak, chairman of Oncology, MACS-Renova Oncology Institute, KIMS Hospital, Bangalore, “The price control introduced by the government is a positive move, as it helps bring greater uniformity to profit margins on drugs.
Health and industry experts welcome the move, and claim that this will benefit several cancer patients.
