New Delhi: The Union government has approved a price revision for two widely used chemotherapy medicines after manufacturers reportedly stopped production, citing losses under the existing price cap.
Carboplatin and cisplatin are commonly used in chemotherapy for multiple types of cancer. Their key raw materials have seen sharp increases in international markets, and overseas suppliers raised prices accordingly.
In India, these drugs are part of the National List of Essential Medicines, under which the government regulates selling prices. Companies said continuing sales at the current controlled prices was not financially viable, leading to production being halted. Reports had also pointed to temporary disruptions linked to quality-control issues at some major manufacturing facilities.
Following a review of production costs and raw material prices, the Centre has authorised the National Pharmaceutical Pricing Authority (NPPA) to decide the permissible increase. NPPA officials said requests for hikes were received from several firms, citing higher input costs, rising manufacturing expenses and the stronger US dollar against the rupee.
To ensure uninterrupted availability, the NPPA has been allowed to revise prices for carboplatin, cisplatin and two tetanus immunoglobulin medicines, officials said.
