Government Caps Trade Margins on Non-Scheduled Anti-Cancer Drugs
· Business · Times of India, Indian Express, India Today
The Indian government decided on Thursday to cap trade margins at 30% of the maximum retail price for all non-scheduled anti-cancer drugs. The measure covers both branded and generic medicines, as well as domestic and imported products, including patented and non-patented formulations. Officials estimate the intervention could reduce retail prices by up to 70% and generate annual savings of approximately Rs 2,500 crore for patients. This policy builds on a similar framework introduced in 2019 that targeted 526 brands and yielded reported annual savings of Rs 984 crore. The regulation aims to address excessive mark-ups in the distribution chain and lower out-of-pocket medical expenditures.
Why it matters
Cancer patients across India face significantly reduced out-of-pocket costs for essential life-saving therapies due to the capped trade margins.
Read the original report — Times of India
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