The National Pharmaceutical Pricing Authority (NPPA) has unveiled the draft ceiling prices for six formulations listed under the National List of Essential Medicines (NLEM) 2022, including widely used drugs like povidone iodine ointment, DPT vaccine, and paracetamol injection. These adjustments aim to regulate pricing and ensure affordability while maintaining market standards.

Key highlights:

Povidone Iodine Ointment pricing

• Proposed ceiling price for 10% povidone iodine ointment: ₹6.26 per gram (excluding GST).

• A 5.05% reduction from the current ceiling price of ₹6.59 per gram.

• Market share: Two companies with a market share of one per cent and above.

• Moving Annual Turnover (MAT): ₹149.86 crore.

Paracetamol injection pricing

• Proposed ceiling price for paracetamol injection 150 mg per ml (5 ml pack): ₹2.06 per ml.

• A significant 38.65% price reduction from the current ceiling price of ₹3.35 per ml.

• This sets the price of a 5 ml pack at ₹16.75.

Sodium Nitroprusside injection pricing

• Proposed ceiling price for sodium nitroprusside injection 10 mg per ml: ₹28.99 per ml.

• An 11.38% reduction from the current price of ₹32.71 per ml.

DPT vaccine pricing

• Proposed ceiling price for DPT vaccine (0.5 ml): ₹13.69.

• A reduction of 23.7% from the current ceiling price of ₹17.95 per 0.5 ml.

Ipratropium respirator solution pricing

• Proposed ceiling price for ipratropium respirator solution 250 mcg/ml (for nebulizer use): ₹2.96 per ml.

• A 7.47% reduction from the current ceiling price of ₹3.20 per ml.

Diltiazem modified release capsule pricing

• Proposed ceiling price for diltiazem 180 mg modified release capsule: ₹26.72 per capsule.

• A 10.43% reduction compared to the highest price considered for price calculation.

Government review and adjustments
The NPPA has undertaken this initiative after considering data from sources such as company filings in IPDMS Form II and V, market surveys, and the Pharmatrack database. The pricing adjustments reflect a balanced approach to ensuring affordability for essential medications while protecting industry interests.The NPPA’s move to release draft ceiling prices for these vital medications is aimed at controlling costs, promoting competition, and ensuring that essential drugs remain affordable for all. These adjustments will further bolster India’s pharmaceutical pricing landscape and benefit millions of patients who rely on these treatments.