NPPA begins trade margin rationalisation for 137 non-scheduled anti-cancer drugs
17 October 2026
The National Pharmaceutical Pricing Authority has taken up Trade Margin Rationalisation for 137 identified non-scheduled anti-cancer drugs. The Maximum Retail Price of these medicines is expected to fall by up to 70 per cent, depending on the existing price structure. The revised prices come into force on the 9th of November. NPPA works under the Department of Pharmaceuticals in the Ministry of Chemicals and Fertilizers. In a 2019 pilot the trade margin on 42 anti-cancer drugs was capped at 30 per cent, which reduced the price of 526 brands by up to 90 per cent. State Drug Controllers are to ensure that manufacturers, dealers, retailers and hospitals charge the reduced prices, which can be checked on the Pharma Sahi Daam app.
In plain words
NPPA National Pharmaceutical Pricing Authority — The body that fixes and monitors prices of medicines in India.
Non-scheduled drug A medicine outside Schedule I of the Drugs (Prices Control) Order — Its price is not directly fixed, so the trade margin is capped instead.