Cancer drug price cuts bring relief to patients in Telangana

Revised prices of 1,364 anti-cancer formulations have come into effect, offering relief to patients in Telangana. The NPPA estimates annual nationwide savings of Rs 3,540.38 crore, with some cancer drug prices falling by more than 50 per cent.

Hyderabad: For thousands of cancer patients in Hyderabad and across Telangana’s districts, the heavy financial burden of fighting the disease has eased significantly. With revised Maximum Retail Prices (MRPs) of 1,364 anti-cancer formulations officially coming into effect on Monday, November 9, families grappling with the high cost of cancer treatment are set to receive much-needed relief.

Implemented by the National Pharmaceutical Pricing Authority (NPPA) under the Department of Pharmaceuticals, the sweeping price rationalisation is projected to save consumers an estimated Rs 3,540.38 crore annually nationwide.

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The reduction in prices of cancer drugs is expected to provide a direct financial cushion to patients receiving oncology care at hospitals in the city, cancer surgeons from Hyderabad said.

The landmark policy shift follows a government directive capping trade margins at a maximum of 30 per cent on 137 non-scheduled anti-cancer drugs, targeting inflated margins at all levels of the pharmaceutical supply chain.

Responding to the directive, 85 pharmaceutical companies submitted revised price lists covering 121 unique drugs and 1,364 formulations. More than 679 brands reported price reductions exceeding 50 per cent, with the steepest individual cut touching 96.45 per cent.

“The price drop definitely should benefit patients and their families. Making cancer treatment affordable is vital, and capping price margins should benefit poor patients,” said Head of Surgical Oncology at Yashoda Hospitals, Somajiguda, Dr K Srikanth.

Cancer specialists have also stressed that the ultimate measure of the policy’s success will be seamless access for patients. “The real success of this initiative will be when affordable drugs reach patients. There is a definite need to ensure there is no artificial shortage of such life-saving drugs in the market for patients of Telangana,” said Dr P Raghu Ram, Founding Director of the KIMS-Ushalakshmi Centre for Breast Diseases.

The price cuts span therapies for different types of cancers. For instance, in Hyderabad, daily long-term hormonal therapy drugs for breast cancer patients, such as Anastrozole, which previously cost around Rs 700, are now priced at Rs 100 for a pack of 10 tablets.

Similarly, advanced targeted therapies have seen significant reductions, with Palbociclib dropping from approximately Rs 40,000 to Rs 20,000, Pertuzumab from Rs 83,000 to Rs 38,000, and supportive care injections such as Denosumab falling from Rs 25,000 to Rs 5,000.

To ensure that the intended benefits reach patients, the Union Ministry has enforced strict compliance guidelines prohibiting retail chemists, institutional pharmacies and hospitals from charging above the newly notified rates.

Consumers seeking to verify medicine prices can check the revised MRPs printed on the packaging, consult the official NPPA website (nppa.gov.in) or use the ‘Pharma Sahi Daam’ mobile application. Grievances regarding overcharging or pricing issues can be lodged through the Pharma Jan Samadhan portal or via the national helpline at 1800-111-255.