You will get relief from expensive medicines! The government has fixed the prices of these essential medicines..

The government has given a big relief to the common people. The National Pharmaceutical Pricing Authority (NPPA) has reduced the prices of 37 essential medicines by 10 to 15 percent. These include medicines like Paracetamol, Atorvastatin, and Amoxicillin, which are most commonly used in heart, diabetes, and infection-related diseases.

This decision was taken on Saturday by the Union Ministry of Chemicals and Fertilizers under the Drugs Price Control Order (DPCO), 2013. The new prices will apply to 35 different formulations, which are manufactured and sold in the market by the country's big pharmaceutical companies.

The medicines whose rates have been reduced by the government are mostly given for diseases that are related to everyday life - such as infection, heart disease, inflammation, diabetes, and vitamin deficiency. These new prices will apply to a total of 35 medicines or drug formulas. These include common and effective medicines like Paracetamol, Atorvastatin, Amoxicillin, and Metformin. Some new combination medicines are also in this list.

Which medicines have become cheaper?

Now the price of Aceclofenac + Paracetamol + Trypsin Chymotrypsin tablet given for pain and swelling has been fixed at ₹13 by Dr Reddy's and ₹15.01 by Cadila. At the same time, Atorvastatin 40mg + Clopidogrel 75mg tablet, necessary for heart patients, will now be available for just ₹25.61.

New rates have also been fixed for Cefixime + Paracetamol syrup and Vitamin D drops (Cholecalciferol) given to children. Diclofenac injection will now be available for ₹31.77 per ml.

Combination medicines given to diabetes patients like Empagliflozin, Sitagliptin, and Metformin will now be available for ₹16.50. Apart from this, Atorvastatin-Ezetimibe for cholesterol control and Bilastine-Montelukast tablets used for asthma-allergy will also be available at a lower price.

Retailers will now have to strictly follow the new rules
NPPA has clearly stated that the medicines whose new prices have been fixed are without GST. If any medicine is taxed, it will be added separately. All pharmaceutical companies will have to upload their new prices on the IPDMS portal through Form-V and send a copy of it to NPPA and the state's drug department.

Shopkeepers and distributors will also now have to display the list of new prices at their shops, so that patients and customers do not have any confusion. This rule is necessary under Section 24 of DPCO 2013.

Now the old rates will not work; action will be taken for breaking the rules
The government has made it clear that the old rates are no longer valid. Medicines will be sold according to the new prices that have been fixed. If any company or shopkeeper charges more money, strict action will be taken against them under the DPCO and the Essential Commodities Act 1955.

The amount charged more than required will be taken back along with interest. Officials say that this will make medicines cheaper, their rates will be transparent, and the cost of treatment will become a little less for the common people.

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