India caps trade margins on 137 cancer drugs

Maximum trade margin

30 % of retail price

India's National Pharmaceutical Pricing Authority capped the margin distributors, chemists and hospitals can add to 137 cancer drugs at 30 per cent of the retail price, before tax.

India

The new prices apply from Nov 9, and the government expects some to fall by up to 70 per cent.

Among the drugs covered

• Nivolumab
• Pembrolizumab
• Bevacizumab
• Osimertinib
• Palbociclib

The drugs covered include the immunotherapy drugs nivolumab and pembrolizumab, as well as bevacizumab, osimertinib and palbociclib.

Background

The measure extends a 2019 pilot that capped margins on 42 cancer drugs and cut the prices of 526 brands by up to 90 per cent.