Nisha Pandey

Health and Me

India Cancer Drug Price Cuts: New Analysis Reveals 159 Out Of 643 Brands See No Reduction

Cancer Drug Price Cuts: New Analysis Reveals 159 Out Of 643 Brands See No Reduction

India’s latest <span>cancer drug</span> price revision has reduced the maximum retail prices (MRPs) of several anti-cancer medicines. While the average price reduction comes around to be more than 50%, roughly one in four of the listed drugs still remain unchanged.

Also, the overall decline across all products is only 13.8%, according to an analysis by the Working Group on Access to Medicines and Treatments.

The analysis examined 643 anti-cancer drugs that were a part of the revised price list issued by the National Pharmaceutical Pricing Authority (NPPA). 484 products, or 75.27%, recorded a price reduction, while 159 products, accounting for 24.73%, remained unchanged.

<h2>Why Is Overall Price Reduction In <span rel="noindex">Cancer Drugs</span> Only 13.8%?</h2>

Also read: <a href="https://www.healthandme.com/health-wellness/top-neurologist-says-stroke-could-be-the-first-sign-of-undiagnosed-cancer-red-flags-to-know-interview-article-156431434" data-type="tilCustomLink">Top Neurologist Says Stroke Could Be First Sign of Undiagnosed Cancer: Red Flags to Know | Interview</a>

Among products that became cheaper, the average price reduction was 50.78%. But when the combined listed MRPs of all 643 products were compared, the overall reduction was only 13.8%.

The difference between the two figures reflects the fact that many expensive <a href="https://www.healthandme.com/health-news/cancer-drug-at-11000-hospital-bill-1-3-lakh-sc-calls-hospital-mark-ups-loot-dacoity-article-156419617" data-type="tilCustomLink">cancer</a> medicines have remained unaffected.

According to the working group’s analysis, the combined listed MRP of all 643 products fell from approximately ₹2.51 crore to ₹2.17 crore, marking a reduction of around ₹34.57 lakh.

However, the 159 products that recorded no price reduction accounted for 86.2% of the combined revised MRP value of the entire list.

“Of course, average can be misleading,” said KM Gopakumar, researcher with the Third World Network and co-convenor of the working group. “This weighted reduction gives us much more a realistic view.”

<h2>Expensive Cancer Drugs Remain Unchanged</h2>

Also read: <a href="https://www.healthandme.com/health-news/cancer-drug-prices-slashed-for-543-brands-from-nov-9-but-a-blockbuster-drug-that-treats-21-cancers-remains-untouched-article-156425273" data-type="tilCustomLink">Cancer Drug Prices Slashed For 543 Brands From Nov 9, But A Blockbuster Drug That Treats 21 Cancers Remains Untouched</a>

The analysis found that several expensive cancer drug brands, including medicines manufactured by multinational pharmaceutical companies, retained their earlier MRPs. These include:

<ul><li><span rel="noindex">Keytruda</span> (pembrolizumab): The listed price remains ₹2,16,500 for a 100 mg injection.</li><li><span rel="noindex">Tagrisso</span> (osimertinib): The price remains approximately ₹4.16 lakh for a pack of 30 tablets.</li><li><span rel="noindex">Avastin</span> (<span rel="noindex">bevacizumab</span>): Roche’s 400 mg vial remains priced at ₹1,23,506.</li><li>Alimta (pemetrexed): Eli Lilly’s 500 mg injection remains priced at ₹29,531.25.</li></ul>

The analysis also found that 110 of 122 products examined across 18 selected multinational pharmaceutical companies recorded no price reduction. Their average price reduction across all 122 products was just 1.3%.

On the other hand, several generic medicines recorded substantial cuts. For example, the price of a 400 mg bevacizumab vial sold as Bevacirel by <span>Reliance Life Sciences</span> fell by 83.27%, while Abbott Healthcare’s Bevacizab recorded an 86.26% reduction.

Warning Signs of Cancer-Linked Strokes Explained

The Working Group on Access to Medicines and Treatments has urged the government to consider additional measures to improve access to expensive cancer medicines.

It has called for public health safeguards under Sections 92 and 100 of the Patents Act, which provide for compulsory licensing and government use of patented inventions in particular circumstances. 

Such provisions can allow access to patented medicines under defined legal conditions when public health requirements warrant intervention.

The group has also questioned the trade margin framework, arguing that the margins remain high and that the government should disclose the calculations used to ascertain revised MRPs.

The NPPA introduced the latest intervention to address excessive trade margins and reduce the cost of cancer medicines. 

Its October 28 list initially covered 543 brands, with subsequent updates expanding the coverage to 643 products.

The price revisions suggest that the overall impact remains limited because pricey drugs have not become cheaper. So patients who need expensive patented treatments, the latest price cuts may therefore offer little direct relief.

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India’s latest cancer drug price revision has reduced the maximum retail prices (MRPs) of several anti-cancer medicines. While the average price reduction comes around to be more than 50%, roughly one in four of the listed drugs still remain unchanged.Also, the overall decline across all products is only 13.8%, according to an analysis by the Working Group on Access to Medicines and Treatments.The analysis examined 643 anti-cancer drugs that were a part of the revised price list issued by the National Pharmaceutical Pricing Authority (NPPA). 484 products, or 75.27%, recorded a price reduction, while 159 products, accounting for 24.73%, remained unchanged.Why Is Overall Price Reduction In Cancer Drugs Only 13.8%?Also read: Top Neurologist Says Stroke Could Be First Sign of Undiagnosed Cancer: Red Flags to Know | InterviewAmong products that became cheaper, the average price reduction was 50.78%. But when the combined listed MRPs of all 643 products were compared, the overall reduction was only 13.8%.The difference between the two figures reflects the fact that many expensive cancer medicines have remained unaffected.According to the working group’s analysis, the combined listed MRP of all 643 products fell from approximately ₹2.51 crore to ₹2.17 crore, marking a reduction of around ₹34.57 lakh.However, the 159 products that recorded no price reduction accounted for 86.2% of the combined revised MRP value of the entire list.“Of course, average can be misleading,” said KM Gopakumar, researcher with the Third World Network and co-convenor of the working group. “This weighted reduction gives us much more a realistic view.”Expensive Cancer Drugs Remain UnchangedAlso read: Cancer Drug Prices Slashed For 543 Brands From Nov 9, But A Blockbuster Drug That Treats 21 Cancers Remains UntouchedThe analysis found that several expensive cancer drug brands, including medicines manufactured by multinational pharmaceutical companies, retained their earlier MRPs. These include:Keytruda (pembrolizumab): The listed price remains ₹2,16,500 for a 100 mg injection.Tagrisso (osimertinib): The price remains approximately ₹4.16 lakh for a pack of 30 tablets.Avastin (bevacizumab): Roche’s 400 mg vial remains priced at ₹1,23,506.Alimta (pemetrexed): Eli Lilly’s 500 mg injection remains priced at ₹29,531.25.The analysis also found that 110 of 122 products examined across 18 selected multinational pharmaceutical companies recorded no price reduction. Their average price reduction across all 122 products was just 1.3%.On the other hand, several generic medicines recorded substantial cuts. For example, the price of a 400 mg bevacizumab vial sold as Bevacirel by Reliance Life Sciences fell by 83.27%, while Abbott Healthcare’s Bevacizab recorded an 86.26% reduction.Call For Further Action       The Working Group on Access to Medicines and Treatments has urged the government to consider additional measures to improve access to expensive cancer medicines.It has called for public health safeguards under Sections 92 and 100 of the Patents Act, which provide for compulsory licensing and government use of patented inventions in particular circumstances. Such provisions can allow access to patented medicines under defined legal conditions when public health requirements warrant intervention.The group has also questioned the trade margin framework, arguing that the margins remain high and that the government should disclose the calculations used to ascertain revised MRPs.The NPPA introduced the latest intervention to address excessive trade margins and reduce the cost of cancer medicines. Its October 28 list initially covered 543 brands, with subsequent updates expanding the coverage to 643 products.The price revisions suggest that the overall impact remains limited because pricey drugs have not become cheaper. So patients who need expensive patented treatments, the latest price cuts may therefore offer little direct relief.

cancer drug price cuts: new analysis reveals 159 out of 643 brands see no reduction

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India Cancer Drug Price Cuts: New Analysis Reveals 159 Out Of 643 Brands See No Reduction

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