Delhi HC Stays NPPA Notice Against AstraZeneca Over Alleged Betaloc-50 Overcharging
New Delhi: The Delhi High Court has stayed the operation of a demand notice issued by the National Pharmaceutical Pricing Authority (NPPA) against AstraZeneca Pharma India Limited over alleged overcharging of Betaloc-50 (Metoprolol 50 mg tablets).
AstraZeneca Pharma India, in a regulatory filing dated August 25, 2026, said the High Court, through its order dated August 24, 2026, stayed the operation of the NPPA demand notice dated July 27, 2026, until the next date of hearing on February 10, 2027.
The stay is subject to the company depositing 15% of the amount mentioned in the demand notice with the Registrar General of the Delhi High Court.
The company had earlier disclosed on July 28, 2026, that it had received the NPPA demand notice alleging overcharging under the Drugs (Prices Control) Order, 2013 (DPCO, 2013) in relation to Betaloc-50.
According to AstraZeneca Pharma India's disclosure, NPPA alleged that the company sold or marketed Betaloc-50 at a maximum retail price (MRP) higher than the ceiling price notified under DPCO, 2013.
NPPA also alleged that the company had not implemented the revised ceiling price on stocks available in the market following Notification S.O. 644(E) dated March 2, 2016, and Notification S.O. 1352(E) dated June 2, 2016, in respect of Betaloc-50 tablets.
The alleged overcharging relates to the period from June to July 2016, for which NPPA demanded recovery of the overcharged amount along with applicable interest.
AstraZeneca Pharma India challenged the demand notice before the Delhi High Court.
In its August 24 order, the High Court stayed the operation of the demand notice until February 10, 2027, subject to the company depositing 15% of the amount mentioned in the notice with the Registrar General of the Delhi High Court.
AstraZeneca Pharma India said it is taking the necessary steps in connection with the court's order.
According to the company's disclosure, the impact on its financial, operational or other activities, quantifiable in monetary terms, is 15% of the amount mentioned in the demand notice.
