NPPA fixes retail price of 18 commonly used formulations including Metformin, Atorvastatin; Details

New Delhi: Through a recent notification, the government regulatory agency, the National Pharmaceutical Pricing Authority (NPPA) has fixed the retail price of 18 drug formulations under the Drugs Prices Control Order (DPCO), 2013 exclusive of goods and services tax (GST).

The medicines whose price have been fixed by NPPA include painkiller, medicine for lowering cholesterol and fats, diabetes drugs and others. The list also includes various fixed-dose combination in capsule, tablets and injection dosage form in different strength.

The drug formulations whose price has recently been fixed by NPPA include Voveran 1ml AQ Injection, combinations of Diclofenac + Thiocolchicoside Capsule; Glimepiride + Metformin + Voglibose Tablet; Metformin + Glimepiride Tablet and others sold under different brand names.

Notable drug makers inclusive of Novartis India, Zydus Healthcare, Akums Drugs, Inventia Healthcare and others are responsible for the manufacture of the formulations.

Many FDC whose price has been fixed are commonly used. For instance, Atorvastatin Tablet is used along with a proper diet to help lower "bad" cholesterol and fats (such as LDL, triglycerides) and raise "good" cholesterol (HDL) in the blood. It belongs to a group of drugs known as "statins." It works by reducing the amount of cholesterol made by the liver.

Lowering "bad" cholesterol and triglycerides and raising "good" cholesterol decreases the risk of heart disease and helps prevent strokes and heart attacks.

While another combination of Glimepiride + Metformin + Voglibose Tablet sold under brand name Glycomet-TRIO manufactured by Sanofi is indicated for treating diabetes while a combination of Metformin + Voglibose Tablet, manufactured by Cipla is sold under brand name Prandial-M is used to control high blood glucose levels in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus.

The detail of the medicines issued by NPPA reads;

The NPPA notice further reads;

• 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


• 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


• 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


• 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


• 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


• 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,


• 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)

Also Read: NPPA fixes retail price of 20 drugs including FDCs for Blood pressure control, dual antiplatelet