The Hindu Business Line : NPPA fixes prices for eight non-scheduled drugs

New Delhi June 14 The National Pharma Pricing Authority has fixed the prices of eight non-scheduled drugs including Nicholas Piramal's big-selling paediatric syrup, Phenergan, Ranbaxy's antibiotic, Roscillin and an anti-infective from Novartis.

Some of these drugs, according to analysts, are "big brands". Quoting ORG IMS data, the NPPA says it has observed an increase of more than 20 per cent in prices for these drugs during the period from February 2004 to February 2005, and decided to notify the companies. The companies, which include Lupin, Lyka and Mumbai-based Meyer, had been asked to provide reasons for the price increase. But the NPPA, unsatisfied with the reasons, has under Para 10 (B) of the Drug (Price Control) Order, 1995 fixed prices for the eight formulations. The new prices have been put up on the Authority's Web site.

The companies have been given 15 days' time to issue a price list in Form V in accordance with the provisions of paragraph 15 of DPCO, 1995. The drugs whose prices have been fixed are nutrition tablets Jointace from Meyer Health Care and Meyer Organics (at a maximum retail price of Rs 84.84), Normaxin (at Rs 18.68 per ampoule or vial) from Systopic Laboratories, Rablet IV Injections (at Rs 57.40 per vial) from Lyka Labs and Lupin. Ranbaxy's antibiotic Roscillin 500 capsules (at Rs 66.77 for eight), insulin sensitiser or supplement for diabetics — Pioz (at Rs 61.92 for a strip of 10) from USV Ltd are also on NPPA's list.

Andhra Pradesh-based Greesha Labs' Ulcikit (Rs 43.34 for a strip of six), and Urclar tablets (Rs 99.84 for four) from both Ind-Swift and Novartis, and Nicholas Piramal's anti-allergic Phenergan Syrup (Rs 22.96 for 60 ml) are also included.

The NPPA in March revised the allowed increase in prices from 20 per cent annually to 10 per cent a year for non-scheduled formulations.

However, the drugs in question were judged according to the 20 per cent limit.

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