Nisha Pandey

Health and Me

Cancer Drug Prices Slashed For 543 Brands From Nov 9, But A Blockbuster Drug That Treats 21 Cancers Remains Untouched

The <span>National Pharmaceutical Pricing Authority</span> (<span>NPPA</span>), under the Department of Pharmaceuticals has revised the maximum retail prices of 543 anti-cancer medicines. The new rates are set to take effect from November 9, 2026. However, it does not reduce the price of <span>Keytruda</span>, a blockbuster immunotherapy drug used to treat more than 21 types of cancer.

India’s drug price regulator released the revised price list on October 28. The revisions come after the government’s decision to rationalise trade margins on 137 non-scheduled anti-cancer drugs, aiming to improve affordability and access to life-saving cancer treatment.

It also comes after the <span>Supreme Court</span> recently questioned hospitals’ staggering mark-ups on certain cancer medicines during a PIL hearing. 

The updated list reflects pricing information submitted by pharmaceutical companies up to October 27. It will be revised further as manufacturers submit updated prices.

<h2>Which Cancer Drugs Have Become Cheaper?</h2>

Also read: <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 Drug At ₹11,000, Hospital Bill ₹1.3 Lakh: SC Calls Hospital Mark-Ups ‘Loot’ &amp; ‘Dacoity’</a>

Several cancer medicines have undergone drastic price reductions, including drugs used in chemotherapy, targeted therapy and other forms of <a href="https://www.healthandme.com/health-wellness/unspoken-side-of-breast-cancer-experts-discuss-recurrence-risk-emotional-toll-societal-impact-at-times-health-summit-2025-article-156423403" data-type="tilCustomLink">cancer</a> treatment.

For instance, the price of <span>Anarzole</span>, a brand of anastrozole used in hormone-sensitive breast cancer, has fallen from ₹695.76 to ₹73 for a pack of 10 tablets containing 1 mg each.

The revised price of Azacytin, a 100 mg azacitidine injection marketed by Dr Reddy’s Laboratories, has dropped from ₹6,337 to ₹1,495.04. 

Bevacizab, a bevacizumab injection marketed by Abbott Healthcare, has fallen from ₹21,767.70 to ₹5,930.13 for a 4 ml vial.

<ul><li>Dasanat 20: The price of a pack of 60 dasatinib tablets has fallen from ₹2,812.50 to ₹1,085.93.</li><li>Debrumab 60 mg: The price of a denosumab injection has dropped from ₹22,031.25 to ₹5,941 per pre-filled syringe.</li><li>Enuta: The price of a pack of 28 enzalutamide capsules has fallen from ₹6,578.20 to ₹2,232.</li><li>Fulbreca: The price of a 5 ml fulvestrant injection has dropped from ₹26,072.16 to ₹5,491.</li></ul>

<h2>Keytruda’s Price Remains Unchanged</h2>

Also read: <a href="https://www.healthandme.com/health-news/from-6-2-lakh-to-15900-kerala-health-minister-defends-generic-sma-drug-but-parents-want-safety-assurance-article-156401954" data-type="tilCustomLink">From ₹6.2 Lakh To ₹15,900: Kerala Health Minister Defends Generic SMA Drug But Parents Want Safety Assurance</a>

Despite the reductions across several cancer drug brands, the listed price of Keytruda remains unchanged at ₹2,16,500. 

Keytruda, whose generic name is pembrolizumab, is an immunotherapy drug that works by helping the immune system recognise and attack cancer cells. It is used in the treatment of multiple cancers depending on the cancer type, disease stage and other clinical factors.

The drug is part of a class of medicines known as immune checkpoint inhibitors. These treatments target mechanisms that cancer cells can use to evade immune responses, helping the body’s immune system to mount a stronger attack against the tumour.

Other expensive brands, including Tagrisso, <span>Tecentriq</span>, Darzalex and Imfinzi, were also reported to remain unaffected by the recent price regulations. 

This brings us to an important limitation of the latest revision. Reductions in the prices of selected brands do not automatically translate into lower prices for every cancer medicine.

<h2>Why <span rel="noindex">Cancer Drug Prices</span> Have Been Revised?</h2>

The latest price revisions follow the NPPA’s October 17 decision to introduce Trade Margin Rationalisation (TMR) for 137 identified non-scheduled anti-cancer drugs.

Trade margins are the mark-ups added along the distribution and sales chain. Under the measure, trade margins for the identified medicines have been capped at 30% of the maximum retail price. The intervention is intended to address excessive margins, make medicines more affordable and improve access to treatment.

The medicines covered include immunotherapy drugs used in more than 20 types of cancer, denosumab used in certain breast and prostate cancer cases, pegfilgrastim to help prevent chemotherapy-induced neutropenia, and bevacizumab, which is used for certain colorectal, ovarian and <a href="https://www.healthandme.com/health-news/hpv-vaccine-could-provide-long-term-protection-to-hiv-women-lancet-article-156289822" data-type="tilCustomLink">cervical cancers</a>.

Dr. Sandeep Nayak, Chairman of Oncology, MACS-Renova Oncology Institute, KIMS Hospital, Bangalore reacted to NPPA's move. He said, "The price control introduced by the government is a positive move, as it helps bring greater uniformity to profit margins on drugs. Since the government is not controlling manufacturing prices, the move could benefit patients while bringing greater transparency to the market."

He also said that the measure could also contribute to addressing the issue of counterfeit medicines in the long run as well. 

He said, "An initial assessment of the list of more than 500 drugs from various pharmaceutical companies suggests that the move is largely logical. While a detailed examination is required, the prices of many original manufacturers appear to have remained unchanged, indicating that their margins may already have been within a reasonable range."

He also expressed his concern about the drug's viability for the manufacturers. 

He said, "My only worry remains that the low cost life saving drug should remain viable to manufacture and sell (eg. Tamoxifen). In the past we have seen that getting affected because of price control."

<h2>Will Price Cuts Help Cancer Patients?</h2>

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Cancer treatment costs extend beyond medicines to include surgery, radiation therapy, diagnostic tests, hospitalisation and follow-up care. For patients who pay out of pocket, even a reduction in the cost of a drug can help ease some of the financial burden.

However, only patients using brands whose MRPs have fallen may see savings, while those using medicines whose prices remain unchanged may not benefit from this revision. 

Patients and caregivers can check the NPPA’s updated price list or the government’s Pharma Sahi Daam app to verify the revised MRP of a specific medicine. They should consult their treating oncologist before making any changes to a prescribed treatment.

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The National Pharmaceutical Pricing Authority (NPPA), under the Department of Pharmaceuticals has revised the maximum retail prices of 543 anti-cancer medicines. The new rates are set to take effect from November 9, 2026. However, it does not reduce the price of Keytruda, a blockbuster immunotherapy drug used to treat more than 21 types of cancer.India’s drug price regulator released the revised price list on October 28. The revisions come after the government’s decision to rationalise trade margins on 137 non-scheduled anti-cancer drugs, aiming to improve affordability and access to life-saving cancer treatment.It also comes after the Supreme Court recently questioned hospitals’ staggering mark-ups on certain cancer medicines during a PIL hearing. The updated list reflects pricing information submitted by pharmaceutical companies up to October 27. It will be revised further as manufacturers submit updated prices.Which Cancer Drugs Have Become Cheaper?Also read: Cancer Drug At ₹11,000, Hospital Bill ₹1.3 Lakh: SC Calls Hospital Mark-Ups ‘Loot’ & ‘Dacoity’Several cancer medicines have undergone drastic price reductions, including drugs used in chemotherapy, targeted therapy and other forms of cancer treatment.For instance, the price of Anarzole, a brand of anastrozole used in hormone-sensitive breast cancer, has fallen from ₹695.76 to ₹73 for a pack of 10 tablets containing 1 mg each.The revised price of Azacytin, a 100 mg azacitidine injection marketed by Dr Reddy’s Laboratories, has dropped from ₹6,337 to ₹1,495.04. Bevacizab, a bevacizumab injection marketed by Abbott Healthcare, has fallen from ₹21,767.70 to ₹5,930.13 for a 4 ml vial.Other reductions include:Dasanat 20: The price of a pack of 60 dasatinib tablets has fallen from ₹2,812.50 to ₹1,085.93.Debrumab 60 mg: The price of a denosumab injection has dropped from ₹22,031.25 to ₹5,941 per pre-filled syringe.Enuta: The price of a pack of 28 enzalutamide capsules has fallen from ₹6,578.20 to ₹2,232.Fulbreca: The price of a 5 ml fulvestrant injection has dropped from ₹26,072.16 to ₹5,491.Keytruda’s Price Remains UnchangedAlso read: From ₹6.2 Lakh To ₹15,900: Kerala Health Minister Defends Generic SMA Drug But Parents Want Safety AssuranceDespite the reductions across several cancer drug brands, the listed price of Keytruda remains unchanged at ₹2,16,500. Keytruda, whose generic name is pembrolizumab, is an immunotherapy drug that works by helping the immune system recognise and attack cancer cells. It is used in the treatment of multiple cancers depending on the cancer type, disease stage and other clinical factors.The drug is part of a class of medicines known as immune checkpoint inhibitors. These treatments target mechanisms that cancer cells can use to evade immune responses, helping the body’s immune system to mount a stronger attack against the tumour.Other expensive brands, including Tagrisso, Tecentriq, Darzalex and Imfinzi, were also reported to remain unaffected by the recent price regulations. This brings us to an important limitation of the latest revision. Reductions in the prices of selected brands do not automatically translate into lower prices for every cancer medicine.Why Cancer Drug Prices Have Been Revised?The latest price revisions follow the NPPA’s October 17 decision to introduce Trade Margin Rationalisation (TMR) for 137 identified non-scheduled anti-cancer drugs.Trade margins are the mark-ups added along the distribution and sales chain. Under the measure, trade margins for the identified medicines have been capped at 30% of the maximum retail price. The intervention is intended to address excessive margins, make medicines more affordable and improve access to treatment.The medicines covered include immunotherapy drugs used in more than 20 types of cancer, denosumab used in certain breast and prostate cancer cases, pegfilgrastim to help prevent chemotherapy-induced neutropenia, and bevacizumab, which is used for certain colorectal, ovarian and cervical cancers.Dr. Sandeep Nayak, Chairman of Oncology, MACS-Renova Oncology Institute, KIMS Hospital, Bangalore reacted to NPPA's move. He said, "The price control introduced by the government is a positive move, as it helps bring greater uniformity to profit margins on drugs. Since the government is not controlling manufacturing prices, the move could benefit patients while bringing greater transparency to the market."He also said that the measure could also contribute to addressing the issue of counterfeit medicines in the long run as well. He said, "An initial assessment of the list of more than 500 drugs from various pharmaceutical companies suggests that the move is largely logical. While a detailed examination is required, the prices of many original manufacturers appear to have remained unchanged, indicating that their margins may already have been within a reasonable range."He also expressed his concern about the drug's viability for the manufacturers. He said, "My only worry remains that the low cost life saving drug should remain viable to manufacture and sell (eg. Tamoxifen). In the past we have seen that getting affected because of price control."Will Price Cuts Help Cancer Patients?                  Cancer treatment costs extend beyond medicines to include surgery, radiation therapy, diagnostic tests, hospitalisation and follow-up care. For patients who pay out of pocket, even a reduction in the cost of a drug can help ease some of the financial burden.However, only patients using brands whose MRPs have fallen may see savings, while those using medicines whose prices remain unchanged may not benefit from this revision. Patients and caregivers can check the NPPA’s updated price list or the government’s Pharma Sahi Daam app to verify the revised MRP of a specific medicine. They should consult their treating oncologist before making any changes to a prescribed treatment.

cancer drug prices slashed for 543 brands from nov 9, but a blockbuster drug that treats 21 cancers remains untouched

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Cancer Drug Prices Slashed For 543 Brands From Nov 9, But A Blockbuster Drug That Treats 21 Cancers Remains Untouched

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