NPPA revises price for Ringer lactate -RL injection with special packaging

New Delhi: The apex drug price regulator, National Pharmaceutical Pricing Authority (NPPA) has decided to give a 15 percent increment to the pricing of Ringer lactate injection (RL) with special packaging that have reduced chances of contamination of the product

Lactated Ringer's solution, or LR, is one of the two most common intravenous (IV) fluids used in the patient care at hospitals

The decision to this effect was recently approved in its 205th (overall) and 73rd meeting of the Authority under DPCO, 2013 after it considered that after its committee noted minor innovation in the packaging of the ringer lactate injections.

It is reported a group of manufacturers including M/s Albert David Ltd, M/s Aculife Healthcare Pvt. Ltd, M/s B. Braun Medical (India) Pvt. Ltd, M/s Fresenius Kabi India Pvt. Ltd M/s Ostuka Pharmaceuticals India Pvt. Ltd had filed a review application against ceiling price fixation of Ringer lactate Injection fixed vide S.O. 2401(E) dated 28.07.2017

The Authority deliberated upon the 5 review orders dated 21.03.2018 in respect of 5 companies related to ringer lactate injection. The Authority was informed that as per decisions taken in its 69th meeting dated 08.08.2019, the matter had been referred to Department of Pharmaceuticals (DOP) vide communication dated 19.08.2019 wherein DOP was informed that a price increase due to special packaging may distort market prices and accordingly sought clear directions in this regard.

DOP in its communication dated 16.12.2019 had replied to the above reference and requested to strictly implement review orders dated 21.03.2018.

Hence, the matter was then referred to the Multidisciplinary Committee of Experts in which 2 pharmacoeconomics experts were also associated with 02.12.2019.

The Authority was informed that the matter had been placed again in the 16th meeting of the Multidisciplinary Committee of Experts held on 13.02.2020 which noted that there is minor innovation in the packaging of the ringer lactate injection having special features like (i) self collapsibility and self-sealability (ii) not having air-vent and (iii) there is no chance of contamination during manufacture/ infusion/ admixing levels and recommended an increase of 15% in ceiling price over and above the present applicable ceiling price.

The recommendation of the Committee was placed before the Authority and the Authority accepted the recommendation of the Committee and approved the ceiling price of ringer lactate injection with packages having special features as detailed below: