Drug Pricing Regulator Sends Notices To 165 Firms For Overcharging

India's drug pricing regulator has sent preliminary notices to 165 pharmaceutical companies for charging more than the price ceilings fixed by it.

Sun Pharmaceuticals Ltd., Abbott Healthcare Pvt. Ltd., Alkem Laboratories Ltd., Biocon Ltd., Cadila Healthcare Ltd., Cipla Ltd., Dr. Reddy's Laboratories Ltd., Glaxosmithkline Pharmaceuticals Ltd., Indoco Remedies Ltd., Lupin Ltd., Natco Pharma Ltd. and Novartis India Ltd. are among the companies found breaching the price caps.

The National Pharmaceutical Pricing Authority found 613 cases of suspected non-compliance of notified ceiling prices, based on pricing data as of January 2017, the notices issued on Friday said. The NPPA's previous list in February had listed 634 such cases.

The NPPA has fixed price ceilings for 680 medicines listed under the revised Schedule I of the Drug (Prices Control) Order, 2013.

Separately, the Department of Pharmaceuticals also notified that it has constituted a committee to review the scope of Drug (Prices Control) Order, 2013 to suggest ways to strengthen the regulatory provisions. The committee will also recommend ways for quicker implementation of the government's drug pricing policy and bring transparency to reduce litigation and review petitions.

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