NPPA Revises and Fixes Ceiling Price of Chloroquine Tablet 150 mg

New Delhi: Considering the wholesale price index (WPI) at 0.00551 percent, through a recent notification, the National Pharmaceutical Pricing Authority (NPPA), Ministry of Chemicals and Fertilizers, Government of India, has revised and fixed the ceiling price of the scheduled formulation, Chloroquine Tablet 150 mg under the Drugs (Prices Control) Order, 2013.

The ceiling price of Chloroquine Tablet 150 mg has been revised from Rs 1.17 to Rs 1.33 per tablet.

Chloroquine is an antimalarial drug used to treat susceptible infections with P. vivax, P. malariae, P. ovale, and P. falciparum. It is also used for second-line treatment for rheumatoid arthritis.

Scheduled formulations are any formulation included in the first schedule, whether referred to by generic versions or brand names (mainly products covered under the National List of Essential Medicines are Scheduled Formulations). In other words, all medicines that are covered in the National List of Essential Medicines, which are notified in Schedule 1, by the government, are scheduled formulations.

"Ceiling Price" refers to a price fixed by the government for scheduled formulations following the provisions of the drugs (price control) order, 2013. The ceiling price is the maximum price to the retailer (excluding taxes, if any) for the given product.

The notice stated that in implementation of directions of review order issued by the Department of Pharmaceuticals (DOP) under para 31 of Drugs (Prices Control) Order, 2013 vide order specified in column (7) of the table below and in the exercise of the powers conferred by paragraphs 4, 6, 10, 11, 14, 16, 17 and 18 of the Drugs (Prices Control) Order, 2013, read with S.O. 1394(E) dated the 30th May 2013 and S.O. 5249(E) dated 11th November, 2022 issued by the Government of India in the Ministry of Chemicals and Fertilizers, and in supersession of the Order of the Government of India in the Ministry of Chemicals and Fertilizers (National Pharmaceutical Pricing Authority) S.O. No. and date specified in Column (8) of the table, the National Pharmaceutical Pricing Authority, has fixed/revised the price including WPI impact @ 0.00551% for the year 2024 as specified in column (6) of the table herein below as ceiling price exclusive of Goods and Services Tax applicable, if any, in respect of the Scheduled formulation specified in the corresponding entry in column (2) of the said Table with the dosage form & strength and unit specified respectively in the corresponding entries in columns (3) and (4) thereof:

The notice further added:

(a) All manufacturers of scheduled formulations, selling the branded or generic or both versions of scheduled formulations at a price higher than the ceiling price (plus Goods and Services Tax as applicable) so fixed and notified by the Government, shall revise the prices of all such formulations downward not exceeding the ceiling price specified in column (6) in the above table plus Goods and Services Tax as applicable, if any.

(b) All the existing manufacturers of the above-mentioned scheduled formulations having MRP lower than the ceiling price specified in column (6) in the above table plus Goods and Services Tax as applicable, if any, shall continue to maintain the existing MRP in accordance with paragraph 13 (2) of the DPCO, 2013.

(c) The manufacturers may add Goods and Services Tax only if they have paid actually or if it is payable to the Government on the ceiling price mentioned in column (6) of the above said table.

(d) The ceiling price for a pack of the scheduled formulation shall be arrived at by the concerned manufacturer in accordance with the ceiling price specified in column (6) of the above table as per provisions contained in paragraph 11 of the Drugs (Prices Control) Order, 2013. The manufacturer shall issue a price list in Form–V from date of Notification as per paragraph 24 of the DPCO, 2013 to NPPA through IPDMS and submit a copy to State Drug Controller and dealers.

(e) As per para 24(4) of DPCO 2013, every retailer and dealer shall display price list and the supplementary price list, if any, as furnished by the manufacturer, on a conspicuous part of the premises where he carries on business in a manner so as to be easily accessible to any person wishing to consult the same.

(f) Where an existing manufacturer of scheduled formulation with dosage or strength or both as specified in the above table launches a new drug as per paragraph 2(1)(u) of the DPCO, 2013 such existing manufacturer shall apply for prior price approval of such new drug to the NPPA in Form I as specified under Schedule-II of the DPCO, 2013.

(g) The manufacturers of above said scheduled formulations shall furnish quarterly return to the NPPA, in respect of production / import and sale of scheduled formulations in Form-III of Schedule-II of the DPCO, 2013 through IPDMS. Any manufacturer intending to discontinue production of above said scheduled formulation shall furnish information to the NPPA, in respect of discontinuation of production and / or import of scheduled formulation in Form-IV of Schedule-II of the DPCO, 2013 at least six months prior to the intended date of discontinuation.

(h) The manufacturers not complying with the ceiling price and notes specified hereinabove shall be liable to deposit the overcharged amount along with interest thereon under the provisions of the Drugs (Prices Control) Order, 2013 read with Essential Commodities Act, 1955.

(i) Consequent to the issue of ceiling prices of such formulations as specified in column (2) of the above table in this notification, the price order(s) fixing ceiling or retail price, if any, issued prior to the above said date of notification, stand(s) superseded.

To view the official notice, click the link below: