New Delhi, November 2026 : The National Pharmaceutical Pricing Authority (NPPA), under the Department of Pharmaceuticals, has directed strict monitoring of the implementation of Trade Margin Rationalisation (TMR) on 137 non-scheduled anti-cancer medicines, following the introduction of reduced prices from November 9.
In an official statement issued on Friday, the NPPA said the latest revised price lists, based on information submitted by pharmaceutical companies up to November 11, were available on its website and through the Pharma Sahi Daam app and portal.
All manufacturers, retailers, dealers, stockists, hospitals and medical institutions have been instructed to comply with the revised maximum retail prices (MRPs). They have also been directed to prominently display updated price lists at their premises and on their websites to ensure transparency for patients.
The NPPA has asked State Drug Controllers (SDCs) to closely monitor compliance across the pharmaceutical supply chain, including manufacturers, dealers, hospitals and medical institutions. The objective is to ensure that the benefits of reduced medicine prices are passed on to patients.
The authority warned that violations could lead to overcharging proceedings under the provisions of the Drugs (Prices Control) Order, 2013.
Patients and consumers can report complaints relating to overcharging, shortages or non-availability of medicines through the Pharma Sahi Daam app or portal. Complaints can also be registered through the NPPA helpline at 1800-111-255 or by email at monitoring-nppa[at]gov[dot]in. State Drug Controllers have been directed to submit their Action Taken Reports to the NPPA by November 16.
The Centre introduced a 30 per cent cap on trade margins for 137 non-scheduled anti-cancer medicines to reduce the financial burden on patients. Through an order dated October 17, the NPPA brought these medicines under the Trade Margin Rationalisation mechanism, limiting the trade margins across the supply chain to 30 per cent.
By November 9, a total of 85 pharmaceutical companies had reported revised MRPs for 121 of the 137 medicines, covering 1,366 stock-keeping units (SKUs).
The reported price reductions have been substantial. The highest reduction stood at 96.45 per cent, while more than 650 formulations recorded MRP cuts exceeding 50 per cent. The largest number of price reductions fell within the 50–75 per cent range.
According to the official statement, the estimated savings for patients amount to ₹3,541 crore. The calculation is based on the difference between the original and revised prices, applied to sales volumes recorded between April 2025 and March 2026.
The 30 per cent trade margin cap applies throughout the pharmaceutical supply chain, including retail and hospital pharmacies. It covers the listed medicines across dosages and formulations, including tablets and injections, whether marketed individually or in combination packs.
