NPPA fixes retail price of 9 combo drugs including Metformin, Paracetamol; Details

New Delhi: Through a recent notification, the government regulatory agency, the National Pharmaceutical Pricing Authority (NPPA) has fixed the retail price of 9 drug formulations under the Drugs Prices Control Order (DPCO), 2013 exclusive of goods and services tax (GST).

The drugs whose price have been fixed by NPPA include Paracetamol Suspension, Metformin tablet, Clonazepam tablet in combination with other formulations. Some of the combinations are Mefenamic acid + Paracetamol tablet; Glimepiride + Metformin Tablet and others.

Notable drugmakers namely, Sun Pharmaceuticals Ltd (Sun Pharma), Lupin, Eris Lifesciences and others are responsible for manufacturing these widely used combinations drugs.

Combination of Gliclazide + Metformin Tablet is used in the treatment of type 2 diabetes mellitus. The drug is manufactured by various drugmakers including Lupin, Dr Reddy's Labs, Indoco Remedies, Mankind Pharma and others. The formulation is sold under popular brand names such as Glykind-M, Reclimet and so on.

While another widely used combination of Mefenamic acid + Paracetamol tablet sold under different brand names such as Meftagesic, Meftal Forte, Spasmonil Forte, is indicated for the short-term treatment of mild to moderate pain from various conditions. It is also used to decrease pain and blood loss from menstrual periods.

The details of the list of all 9 formulations read;

The NPPA notice further adds;

• The manufacturer of above-mentioned formulations i.e. "new drug" under paragraph 2(u) of the DPCO, 2013 shall fix the retail price as specified in column (6) of the table hereinabove.


• The manufacturer may add goods and services tax only if they have paid actually or it is payable to the Government on the retail price mentioned in column (6) of the above-said table.


• The retail price for a pack of the aforesaid formulation shall be arrived at by the concerned manufacturer in accordance with the retail price specified in column (6) of the above table as per provisions contained in paragraph 11 of the DPCO, 2013. The manufacturer shall issue a price list in Form–V from date of Notification as per paragraph 24 of the DPCO, 2013 to NPPA through IPDMS and submit a copy to State Drug Controller and dealers.


• As per para 24(4) of DPCO 2013, every retailer and dealer shall display price list and the supplementary price list, if any, as furnished by the manufacturer, on a conspicuous part of the premises where he carries on business in a manner so as to be easily accessible to any person wishing to consult the same.


• The above mentioned retail price is applicable only to the individual manufacturer / marketer as mentioned above i.e. who have applied for the same by submitting Form-I for price fixation / revision as stipulated under DPCO, 2013 and subject to fulfilment of all the applicable statutory requirements as laid down by the Govt. under relevant statutes/ rules, including manufacturing license permission from the Competent Authority i.e. the Central/State Licensing Authority, as may be applicable, by the concerned manufacturer/marketing companies.


• In case the retail price of any of the aforesaid formulations is not complied with, as per instant price notification and notes specified hereinabove, then the concerned manufacturer/marketing company shall be liable to deposit the overcharged amount along with the interest thereon under the provisions of the DPCO, 2013 read with the Essential Commodities Act, 1955.


• Consequent to the issue of ceiling price of such formulation as specified in column (2) of the above table in this notification, the price order(s) fixing ceiling or retail price, if any, issued prior to the above said date of notification, stand(s) superseded.

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