NPPA to issue show-cause notice to Intas, Mankind Pharma for selling diabetes drug sans approval

NPPA, an autonomous body regulates prices of drugs that fall into the category of National List of Essential Medicines (NLEM). Medicines outside this category also get monitored by NPPA. This way, NPPA prevents the pharmaceuticals from overcharging the consumers.

The said formulation (a combination of Remogliflozin and Metformin) falls into the category of regulated drugs. Thus, it was mandatory for the pharma firms to seek approval regarding the price of the anti-diabetic drug which the companies failed to secure.

Accordingly, the Authority observed;

"The Authority noted that M/s Intas Pharmaceuticals Ltd and M/s Mankind Pharma Ltd have also launched the formulation without price approval for which explanation has been issued for non-compliance. The Authority deliberated upon the matter in detail and decided to issue Show Cause Notice (SCN) to M/s Intas Pharmaceuticals Ltd and M/s Mankind Pharma Ltd for the same."

Commenting on the issue, Arjun Juneja, chief operating officer, Mankind Pharma, told ThePrint he would not offer any comments on the NPPA's move.

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