Govt Discussing One-Time Price Revision for 300 Essential Drugs Amid Cost Surge

New Delhi: The Centre is considering an emergency, one-time increase in the prices of nearly 300 essential medicines, including commonly used drugs such as paracetamol, amoxicillin, azithromycin, amlodipine, atorvastatin, dexamethasone, and ascorbic acid, amid a sharp rise in pharmaceutical manufacturing costs triggered by the ongoing conflict in West Asia.

According to the news reported by The Mint, discussions are currently underway between the National Pharmaceutical Pricing Authority, the Department of Pharmaceuticals, and the commerce ministry over a temporary revision in prices of key medicines included under price control mechanisms.

The medicines under consideration reportedly include widely used antibiotics such as amoxicillin and azithromycin, cardiac drugs including amlodipine and atorvastatin, pain relievers like paracetamol, along with steroids such as dexamethasone and vitamin formulations including ascorbic acid. These medicines are heavily dependent on imported active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs) and petrochemical-derived solvents.

The ongoing conflict in West Asia has severely disrupted supply chains, causing prices of critical pharmaceutical inputs such as propylene, ammonia, and methanol to rise by nearly 200-300 per cent. The sharp increase has particularly impacted smaller pharmaceutical manufacturers, many of whom are struggling to sustain production amid escalating costs. Industry associations have therefore sought a 10 to 20 per cent increase in prices under existing drug pricing regulations to prevent losses and ensure continued availability of essential medicines, NewsBytes reports.

However, the government has reportedly indicated that the proposed hike would be temporary and could be rolled back once supply conditions stabilise.

The government is examining the proposal primarily as a safeguard to maintain medicine availability and prevent disruptions in the supply of commonly used formulations across the country. Officials have also indicated that the increase, if approved, would be temporary in nature and could be rolled back once raw material prices and supply chains stabilise.