NPPA allows Glenmark to price its Digital dose Counter, Digihale
New Delhi: Pharma major Glenmark has secured the National Pharmaceutical Pricing Authority's (NPPA) approval to revise the price of Digital Dose Counter, Digihale in three different strengths based on the wholesale price index with respect to the previous calendar year.
The said formulations include;
(a) Budesonide 100mcg+ Formeterol 6mcg per dose Inhaler 120 MDI
(b) Budesonide 200mcg+ Formeterol 6mcg per dose Inhaler 120 MDI and
(c) Budesonide 400mcg+ Formeterol 6mcg per dose Inhaler 120 MDI
This inhaler device Digital Dose Counter is sold under the brand name Digihale. This contains a combination of medicines designed to manage asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease symptoms such as wheezing, shortness of breath, chest tightness, breathing problems, coughing, and more. This medication is only used to treat asthma and COPD on a long-term basis; it is not effective in treating acute attacks.
Earlier, NPPA deliberated on Glenmark Pharmaceuticals Ltd's applications or representations at its 71st meeting on December 9, 2019, and approved the recommendations of the multidisciplinary committee of experts to give Glenmark Pharmaceuticals Ltd a separate price for a "digital dose counter" under the brand "Digihaler" under para 11(3) of DPCO 2013.
Therefore, NPPA had fixed the price of Digital Dose Counter at Rs 44.70 which was said to be fixed irrespective of the subsequent change in the ceiling price of the formulation (a) Budesonide 100mcg+ Formeterol 6mcg per dose Inhaler 120 MDI (b) Budesonide 200mcg+ Formeterol 6mcg per dose Inhaler 120 MDI and (c) Budesonide 400mcg+ Formeterol 6mcg per dose Inhaler 120 MDI.
Also Read: NPPA Revises Ceiling Price Of Budesonide Upholding DOP Review Order; Details
Now through the recent order, NPPA allowed Glenmark to price the Digital dose Counter based on the wholesale price index with respect to the previous calendar year. The NPPA order held, "In the S.O. 4539(E) dated 18.12.2019, for the phrase
"The price of the digital dose counter as specified in column (6) of the above-said table would remain fixed irrespective of the subsequent change in the ceiling price of the formulation (a) Budesonide 100mcg+ Formeterol 6mcg per dose Inhaler 120 MDI (b) Budesonide 200mcg+ Formeterol 6mcg per dose Inhaler 120 MDI and (c) Budesonide 400mcg+ Formeterol 6mcg per dose Inhaler 120 MDI of M/s Glenmark Pharmaceuticals Ltd having digital dose counter." mentioned in Note (e) it is to be read as follows;
"The price revision based on Wholesale Price Index (WPI) as per para 16 of DPCO, 2013 would be applicable on the price of the Digital Dose Counter as specified in column (6) of the above-said Table from the next year"."
