Cancer drug price cut: AP cracks down on overcharging

Amaravati: Health minister Y Satya Kumar Yadav directed officials to ensure that patients in Andhra Pradesh fully benefit from the Centre’s decision to reduce the prices of cancer medicines. He ordered continuous monitoring of drug availability and prices, along with intensified inspections of hospitals and medical stores.

The Centre has reduced the prices of 1,364 cancer medicines across the country with effect from Monday. Prices of 671 brands have come down by more than 50 per cent, with the maximum reduction in MRP reaching 96.45 per cent.

Reviewing the implementation measures with health secretary G Veer Pandian, Drugs Control Administration director general Arun Babu and other officials on Tuesday, the minister said even medicines bearing old printed prices must be sold at the revised lower rates. He warned against overpricing, artificial shortages and excessive stocking.

The minister directed cancer hospitals to maintain adequate stocks of prescribed medicines, ensuring that at least one company’s product for every drug is available at the reduced price. He also advised patients to purchase medicines according to their immediate requirements rather than hoarding them, which could affect availability for others.

Officials clarified that medicines bearing old MRPs need not be returned to manufacturers or relabelled. However, they must be sold at whichever is lower — the revised price or the price printed on the pack. Hospitals must display manufacturers’ revised price lists (Form V) at their pharmacies and on websites and issue bills mentioning the brand, batch number, MRP and amount collected.

Drug inspectors have been instructed to inspect all cancer hospitals and treatment centres in their jurisdictions within seven days. They must verify stock availability, display of revised price lists and bills issued since November 9. Supply agents and super stockists will also be inspected. Complaints about medicine shortages must be addressed within 24 hours by tracing available stocks through district supplier networks. Officials have been asked to initiate legal action against those charging excess prices, withholding medicines or violating regulations. Patients and hospitals can lodge complaints through the Drugs Control Administration’s WhatsApp number 8632330909 or email [email protected]. The NPPA toll-free number is 1800-111-255.

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