The National Pharmaceutical Pricing Authority (NPPA) monitors prices of drugs in accordance with the provisions of the Drugs (Prices Control) Order, 2013 (DPCO, 2013). Under DPCO, 2013, every manufacturer of a formulation is required to print the maximum retail price (MRP) on the label of the container of such formulation. Further, no dealer is permitted to sell any loose quantity of formulation at a price exceeding the pro rata price of the formulation. NPPA monitors the prices of formulations and takes action in accordance with the provisions of DPCO, 2013 against any company found to be overcharging consumers, based on references received regarding overcharging from any source, including Price Monitoring and Resource Units set up in States and State Drugs Controllers (including those in the State of Maharashtra), samples purchased from the open market, reports from market database and complaints lodged through grievance redressal channels. NPPA has informed that no complaint regarding sale of loose or unpackaged medicines at prices significantly higher than their per-unit MRP, has been received by NPPA, including from the State of Maharashtra.

This information was given by Union Minister of State in the Ministry of Chemicals and Fertilizers, Smt. Anupriya Patel, in a written reply in the Lok Sabha today.

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