The National Pharmaceuticals Pricing Authority (NPPA) has decided to roll back its earlier decision to bring about 108 non-scheduled drugs meant for the treatment of lifestyle diseases such as heart disease and diabetes under price control.
According to an internal guideline issued by the Authority, this step has been taken in line with the directive of the Department of Pharmaceuticals under the Ministry of Chemicals and Fertilisers.
This move comes soon after the Delhi High Court instructed the Government and the pharmaceutical companies to resolve the matter expeditiously since it impacts people.
The pharmaceutical associations challenged the move by NPPA to cap the price of 108 drugs by an order on May 29. The Authority had invoked Paragraph 19, DPCO, to extend the controlled regime to medicines which don't fall under the National List of Essential Medicines.
Under Paragraph 19, DPCO, the NPPA has the authority to extend price control over medicines outside of the essential medicines list in “extraordinary circumstances” and in the “public interest”.