NEW DELHI: To make life-saving treatments more affordable, the government has instructed pharmaceutical companies to reduce the maximum retail prices (MRP) of three key anti-cancer drugs—Trastuzumab, Osimertinib, and Durvalumab—following customs duty and GST reductions. The National Pharmaceutical Pricing Authority (NPPA) has issued an official memorandum urging manufacturers to pass on the benefits of these tax reductions to consumers.
This directive follows the Union Budget 2024–25 announcement that exempted these drugs from customs duties. The Ministry of Chemicals and Fertilisers noted that the Ministry of Finance’s Department of Revenue had reduced customs duty on the three drugs to zero in a notification on July 23. “There should be a corresponding reduction in MRPs of these drugs, ensuring the benefits reach the consumers,” the ministry stated.
The NPPA has directed all manufacturers to update their price lists accordingly, informing dealers, state drug controllers, and the government of the changes. Additionally, manufacturers must submit updated price information to the NPPA, helping ensure that consumers benefit from the reduced costs across the country.
