NPPA Expert Panel Recommends Uniform 15% Price Hike for IV Fluids with Special Packaging
New Delhi: In a move aimed at bringing uniformity to the pricing of intravenous (IV) fluids with special feature packaging, the Multidisciplinary Committee (MDC) has recommended adopting a uniform methodology of allowing a 15% increase over the already notified ceiling prices for all such formulations under the National List of Essential Medicines (NLEM), 2022.
The decision was taken during the 78th meeting of the Multidisciplinary Committee of Experts held on 24.06.2026.
The recommendation follows the Committee's observation that while certain IV fluid formulations packaged with special features command substantially higher prices than their non-glass counterparts, the special features represent only a minor innovation in packaging.
The Committee noted that the ceiling prices of IV fluid formulations have undergone revisions since 2014 on account of issues relating to pack-size-wise pricing, categorisation of packaging materials, admissibility of special features, and directions issued by the Department of Pharmaceuticals through various review orders. The committee further noted that different methodologies are presently being followed for different IV fluid formulations.
The Committee recalled that in its 16th meeting held on 13.02.2020, in the case of ceiling prices of Ringer Lactate with special features, the Committee recommended an increase of 15% over and above the ceiling prices notified for Ringer Lactate, mentioning that there is minor innovation in the packaging of the Ringer Lactate having the special features. The recommendation of the committee was approved by the authority in its 73rd meeting held on 25.02.2020. Since then, the committee has followed the same methodology while recommending the separate prices under Para 11(3) for the pack with the special features.
The Committee was informed that the matter regarding the fixation of the ceiling price of IV fluids under NLEM 2022 was deliberated in the 146th Authority Meeting held on 26.05.2026, wherein it was noted that over the years, the formulations having “special features” packaging have evolved into a significant market segment with substantial market turnover.
Accordingly, the Authority decided to refer the matter to MDC for further examination regarding methodology for fixation of ceiling prices of IV Fluids including packs with special features.
The committee deliberated upon the matter and observed that there exists a substantial price difference between the non-glass packaging vis-à-vis non-glass with special features in some of the formulations (Glucose 5%, Sodium Chloride 0.9% and Glucose 5% + Sodium Chloride 0.9%); however, the difference on account of special features is a minor innovation in the packaging only.
Further, the methodology for pricing of IV fluids cannot be different for the similar nature of IV fluids since it is only the fluid that is changing inside the container and not the container itself.
Accordingly, the committee recommended that the methodology of calculating separate prices by allowing 15% in addition to already notified ceiling prices may be followed uniformly while fixing the prices of all IV fluids with special features and packaging under NLEM 2022.
The committee also mentioned that this methodology has earlier been accepted by the authority while fixing the prices of various IV fluids (except for the three formulations as mentioned in para. 4 above), and the industry and other stakeholders have also accepted this methodology.
