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United News of India
31-07-2025
- Health
- United News of India
Punjab MP Meet Hayer urges price cap on Medicines in Parliament
Chandigarh, July 30 (UNI) Sangrur MP Gurmeet Singh Meet Hayer raised concerns over exorbitantly priced medicines, during the Zero Hour in Parliament today, urging the central government to impose a price cap on medicines with the same active ingredients. Highlighting the issue under the Drug Price Control Order (DPCO) 2013, Hayer noted that while prices of some essential medicines are regulated, commonly used drugs for conditions like blood pressure and diabetes lack price controls. He pointed out that medicines with identical solutions are sold at vastly different prices by different companies, with profit margins ranging from Rs. 300 to Rs. 1,000. 'A medicine made for Rs. 3 is sold for Rs. 10 by one company and Rs. 50 by another,' he said, calling it a widespread issue affecting affordability nationwide. Hayer urged the government to standardize prices for medicines with the same active ingredients to ensure fair access to healthcare. UNI NB RN
Mint
27-07-2025
- Business
- Mint
Govt tightens oversight on drugs that are outside direct price control
New Delhi: To protect consumers from steep drug price increases, the National Pharmaceutical Pricing Authority (NPPA) has issued a directive to strictly enforce price control measures on non-scheduled drugs—those not subject to direct price caps. This means manufacturers cannot raise the maximum retail price (MRP) of these non-scheduled medicines by more than 10% in a year, as per the Drugs Price Control Order (DPCO). These drugs account for about three-fourths of India's pharmaceutical market by volume. NPPA has reiterated that companies must adhere strictly to paragraph 20 of the DPCO, 2013, which ensures that commonly used non-scheduled medicines and medical devices remain affordable for the public. Essential medicines are subject to stricter price controls. Non-scheduled formulations are those that are out of direct price control. NPPA directs these brands to immediately report any price revisions on the NPPA'sIntegrated Pharmaceutical Database Management System (IPDMS). Brands like Foracort, used to treat respiratory illnesses, Ascoril (a cough syrup), and Dexorange, used to treat nutritional deficiencies, are examples of non-scheduled formulations. The regulator also cracked down on manufacturers selling the same non-scheduled formulation under different brand names. The directive said the MRP difference between such brands cannot exceed 10%, ensuring consistency in pricing across a company's portfolio. 'The government shall monitor the maximum retail prices (MRP) of all the drugs including the non-scheduled formulations and ensure that no manufacturer increases the maximum retail price of a drug more than 10% of maximum retail price during preceding twelve months and where the increase is beyond ten percent of maximum retail price, it shall reduce the same to the level of ten percent of maximum retail price for next twelve months,' said the NPPA communication issued to manufacturers, industry association and stakeholders on 22 July. This renewed focus comes amid growing concerns over unchecked price hikes in commonly used medicines. While essential medicines have fixed ceiling prices, non-scheduled drugs—including many popular brands—remain outside direct controls but are still subject to the 10% annual cap. 'The move seeks to make healthcare more accessible and prevent manufacturers from excessive profiteering on a wide range of pharmaceutical products. Any violations will attract penalties for manufacturers,' said a pharma industry executive, requesting anonymity. Queries sent to the department of pharmaceuticals remained unanswered till press time. 'This circular is primarily on monitoring the pricing of non-scheduled formulations. Our members are already abiding by paragraph 20 of DPCO 2013, and are complying with the provisions applicable to non-scheduled formulations,' said Viranchi Shah, national spokesperson, Indian Drugs Manufacturers Association (IDMA). "This circular also has a directive to the manufacturers to align prices of multiple non-scheduled brands they manufacture or market. This may have operational issues when a contract manufacturer undertakes the manufacturing of different brands of different companies. We will seek further clarification," Shah added. The NPPA said any manufacturer found violating the provisions will face action under the DPCO and the Essential Commodities Act. 'The manufacturer shall be liable to deposit the overcharged amount along with interest thereon from the date of increase in price in addition to the penalty,' it said. According to government estimates, the Indian pharmaceutical market was valued at approximately $50 billion in FY2023-24, with domestic consumption accounting for $23.5 billion. Notably, India is the world's largest provider of generic medicines by volume, with a 20% share of total global pharmaceutical exports. It is also the third largest by volume globally for overall pharmaceutical production.
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Business Standard
25-07-2025
- Business
- Business Standard
Govt to closely monitor price hikes of drugs outside essential list
The national pharmaceutical pricing regulator will keep a close watch on overcharging by drug companies for medicines outside the purview of the price control list. In an office memorandum dated July 22, the National Pharmaceutical Pricing Authority (NPPA), under the Ministry of Chemicals and Fertilisers, said, 'The Government shall monitor the maximum retail prices (MRP) of all drugs, including non-scheduled formulations, and ensure that no manufacturer increases the maximum retail price of a drug by more than ten percent of the maximum retail price during the preceding twelve months…' Business Standard has reviewed the document. The NPPA will monitor how companies are increasing prices of non-scheduled drugs. These are medicines not under direct price control, for which the NPPA fixes ceiling prices using changes in the wholesale price index, as well as market data (average price to retailers of all brands of the medicine with a market share of 1 percent or more). The prices of scheduled drugs, which are mentioned in the National List of Essential Medicines (NLEM), are fixed every year by the NPPA. In the case of non-scheduled drugs not part of the NLEM, companies are allowed to raise prices by 10 percent annually. The NPPA will now closely monitor whether these price hikes are in line with the limit. If prices are raised beyond the permissible limit, the company will be required to deposit the overcharged amount along with interest, from the date of the price increase, in addition to any penalties, the memorandum warned. Moreover, to prevent companies from launching the same medicine under different brand names at higher prices, the NPPA has directed, 'All manufacturers are hereby directed to align the prices of non-scheduled formulations launched under different brands… so that the difference in MRP is not more than ten percent.' Any violation of this rule will invite strict action under the DPCO, 2013, and the Essential Commodities Act, 1955. The office memorandum, signed by NPPA Deputy Director (Enforcement) Manisha Khuntia, has been sent to all drug manufacturers, industry associations, and stakeholders. As of September 2024, the NPPA has raised a cumulative demand of Rs 9,980.6 crore from pharmaceutical companies as penalties for overcharging in 2,545 cases. Many of these cases are currently stuck in litigation.
News18
25-07-2025
- Business
- News18
No More Steep Price Jumps: Govt Cracks Down On Non-Scheduled Medicines
NPPA monitors prices of all drugs not listed in Schedule I of the Drug Price Control Order (DPCO), 2013. These 'non-scheduled formulations' had more freedom in pricing—until now If your medicine bills have been quietly rising each year, here's some relief—India's drug pricing regulator has now stepped in to keep a close watch on such hikes. The National Pharmaceutical Pricing Authority (NPPA), under the Ministry of Chemicals and Fertilisers, has issued a fresh order to monitor how much companies are increasing the prices of non-scheduled drugs. These are medicines not under direct price control but still widely used. According to a new office memorandum of NPPA dated July 22, 2025, seen by News18, 'The Government shall monitor the maximum retail prices (MRP) of all the drugs including the non-scheduled formulations and ensure that no manufacturer increases the maximum retail price of a drug more than ten percent of maximum retail price during preceding twelve months…" In simpler terms, drug companies can't hike prices of such medicines by more than 10% in a year. If they do, they will have to bring the price back down to the allowed level and also return the extra money they charged. 'The manufacturer shall be liable to deposit the overcharged amount along with interest thereon from the date of increase in price in addition to the penalty," the memorandum warned. The NPPA monitors the prices of all drugs not listed in Schedule I of the Drug Price Control Order (DPCO), 2013. These are called 'non-scheduled formulations" and have been allowed more freedom in pricing—until now. The Drug Price Control Order (DPCO) is a law ruling prices of medicines that allows authorities to fix the prices of essential medicines and ensure they remain affordable for the public. To prevent companies from bypassing the rules by launching the same medicine under different brand names at higher prices, the NPPA has directed, 'All manufacturers are hereby directed to align the prices of non-scheduled formulation launched under different brands… so that the difference in MRP is not more than ten percent." This means whether a medicine is sold under one brand or another, its price should not differ drastically and must stay within a 10% range. Violations to be taken seriously Any violation of this rule will invite strict action under the DPCO, 2013, and the Essential Commodities Act, 1955. The NPPA's move comes at a time when many patients are feeling the pinch of rising medicine costs, especially for chronic conditions like diabetes, hypertension, and mental health. The memo, signed by NPPA Deputy Director (Enforcement) Manisha Khuntia, has been sent to all drug manufacturers, industry associations, and stakeholders, with a clear message: no more unchecked price hikes. 'Concerned are hereby directed to ensure strict compliance to the provisions of the DPCO, 2013," it stated. view comments Disclaimer: Comments reflect users' views, not News18's. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
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Business Standard
27-06-2025
- Business
- Business Standard
JP Morgan upgrades Torrent Pharma to 'Overweight', lifts target; stk up 5%
Torrent Pharma share price: Pharmaceutical company Torrent Pharma share price was buzzing in trade on Friday, June 27, 2025, with the scrip rallying up to 4.51 per cent to hit an intraday high of ₹3,371.45 per share. Around 1:35 PM, Torrent Pharma share price was trading 2.12 per cent higher at ₹3,294.05 per share. In comparison, BSE Sensex was trading 0.28 per cent higher at 83,991.38 levels. Why did Torrent Pharma share price jump in trade today? Torrent Pharma share price rose after JPMorgan reportedly upgraded the company to 'Overweight'. The brokerage also hiked the target price to ₹3,800, from ₹3,650 earlier. The new target price reflects an upside of 17.8 per cent from its previous close of ₹3,225.70. JPMorgan anticipates Torrent's India operations will continue to be a major growth engine, driven by sustained momentum in its core segments, according to reports. Torrent Pharma Q4 results Torrent Pharma reported an 11 per cent year-on-year (Y-o-Y) increase in consolidated profit after tax (PAT) for the fourth quarter of FY25, at ₹498 crore. The growth was primarily driven by robust performance in its India operations. Revenue for the quarter rose 8 per cent to ₹2,959 crore. Excluding exceptional items related to the resolution of legacy Drug Price Control Order (DPCO) litigations, PAT growth stood at 15 per cent for the quarter. During FY25, the company declared an interim dividend of ₹26 per equity share (face value ₹5) and had recommended a final dividend of ₹6 per share, subject to shareholder approval. For the full financial year, Torrent Pharma posted a 7 per cent rise in revenue to ₹11,516 crore, while PAT climbed 15 per cent to ₹1,911 crore. India remained the company's largest market, contributing around 52 per cent to overall revenue. India sales rose 12 per cent in Q4 to ₹1,545 crore, outpacing the domestic market's 8 per cent growth. The chronic segment expanded by 14 per cent, compared to the market's 9 per cent growth. For the full year, India revenues rose 13 per cent to ₹6,393 crore. Nuvama on Torrent Pharma's Q4 show According to Nuvama, Torrent Pharma marginally missed Q4FY25E consensus revenue estimates by 1 per cent, but reported an adjusted Ebitda in line with expectations. Adjusted PAT, however, surpassed consensus by 2 per cent. The adjusted Ebitda margin stood at 33.4 per cent, exceeding estimates by approximately 60 basis points. India and US markets grew robustly by 12 per cent and 9 per cent Y-o-Y in constant currency terms, respectively, while Brazil posted a 5 per cent Y-o-Y growth on a constant currency basis. Torrent Pharma is set to expand its sales force by approximately 1,200 medical representatives over FY24–26E, which is expected to support double-digit growth over the next three to five years. Additionally, the upcoming semaglutide launches in India and Brazil are expected to enhance the product mix. The US market is poised for new product launches, with growth likely to accelerate, while Germany is expected to benefit from tender wins in the latter part of FY26E. Torrent also serves as a potential hedge against structural shifts in the US pharmaceutical landscape. Therefore, the brokerage maintained a 'Buy' rating on the stock with a revised target price of ₹3,760 (earlier ₹3,810). About Torrent Pharma Torrent Pharma, the flagship entity of the Torrent Group, is one of India's leading pharmaceutical companies with a strong focus on branded and generic formulations. The company has built a major presence across key therapeutic areas such as cardiovascular (CV), central nervous system (CNS), gastrointestinal (GI), and women's healthcare (WHC). Its robust portfolio and commitment to quality have positioned it as a trusted name in both domestic and international markets. With operations spanning over 40 countries, Torrent Pharma has steadily expanded its global footprint through strategic acquisitions and partnerships. The company operates manufacturing facilities across India in states like Gujarat, Himachal Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Andhra Pradesh, and Sikkim.
