The Hindu Business Line : NPPA fixes prices of 11 formulation packs

THE National Pharmaceutical Pricing Authority (NPPA) has fixed/revised the prices of 11 formulation packs, imported in finished form based on the bulk drug insulin and methyl prednisolone sodium succinate.

"NPPA has fixed/revised the prices in respect of 11 formulation packs, imported in finished form on August 11, 2004, based on the bulk drug insulin (used in treatment of diabetes) and methyl prednisolone sodium succinate on the basis of applications received from Novo Nordisk and Pharmacia Ltd, respectively," an official release said here.

These prices have been fixed or revised in accordance with the provisions of the Drugs (Prices Control) Order (DPCO), 1995, and as per the established guidelines, it said, adding that the prices fixed would become effective within 15 days from the date of notification in the official gazette.

For Novo Nordisk, the price of various insulin formulations have been fixed in the range of Rs 1964.24 to Rs 1688.84 for five pieces X3ml pack.

In the case of Pharmacia Ltd, the price of Solu-Medrol 40 mg injection has been revised to Rs 146.44 from Rs 128.48 for 1 ml vial.

Similarly, for Solu-Medrol 125 mg injection, the prices have been revised to Rs 278.19 from Rs 244.86 for a 2-ml vial.

NPPA has also notified norms for conversion cost, packing charges and process loss of materials.

"These norms have been notified based on a comprehensive study carried out by the Cost Account Branch of Ministry of Finance. While finalising the study, the Cost Account Branch has applied established procedures and principles of costing.

"Norms have been prescribed for certain category of items for the first time," it said, adding the norms for conversion cost and packing charges have increased over the existing ones while the norms for process loss of materials have come down for all category of items.