NPPA Panel suggests Price Of Cadila Healthcare Dexamethasone in 5 strengths
New Delhi: The National Pharmaceutical Pricing Authority (NPPA) Committee has suggested the retail price of each uncoated tablet containing Dexamethasone IP 6 mg for Cadila Healthcare Ltd (manufacturer) and Zydus Healthcare Ltd (marketers) as Rs. 3.36 per tablet excluding GST.
The recommendation was made by the Multidisciplinary Committee of Experts at the 31st meeting held on April 27, 2012. The issue of the retail price fixation of each uncoated tablet containing Dexamethasone IP 6 mg manufactured by Cadila Healthcare Ltd. and marketed by Zydus Healthcare Ltd. under Para 5 of the DPCO, 2013 was addressed during the meeting.
Dexamethasone, a type of corticosteroid medication that has anti-inflammatory and immunosuppressant effects and is widely used in Rheumatic disorders, acute respiratory disorders, skin-related disorders, etc.
Also Read: Intracanalicular Insert Of Dexamethasone Effective Option For Allergic Conjunctivitis
Dexamethasone is also recommended by the National Health Service in the UK and the National Institutes of Health (NIH) in the US for patients who are suffering from severe COVID-19 and need either mechanical ventilation or supplemental oxygen (without ventilation). Dexamethasone is otherwise not suggested.
As per the WHO recommendation, corticosteroids such as dexamethasone be given orally or intravenously for the treatment of patients with severe and critical COVID-19. Corticosteroids should not be used in the treatment of patients with non-severe COVID-19 unless the patient is already taking them for another condition, according to the WHO.
After a detailed deliberation, the committee recommended the retail price of each uncoated tablet containing Dexamethasone IP 6 mg for M/s Cadila Healthcare Ltd (manufacturer) and M/s Zydus Healthcare Ltd (marketers) at Rs. 3.36 per tablet excluding GST as detailed below:
Sl. No. | Formulation | Ceiling price/ Calculated price as per para 4 of DPCO 2013 (Rs. Per tablet excluding GST) | Derived price per mg of Dexamethasone w.r.t to various strength of tablet available |
(1) | (2) | (3) | (4) [ (3) ÷ the strength of the formulation mentioned in col. (2)] (Rs.) |
1 | Dexamethsone 0.5 mg tablet | 0.19 | 0.34 |
2 | Dexamethsone 2 mg tablet | 0.87 | 0.44 |
3 | Dexamethsone 4 mg tablet | 3.65 | 0.91 |
4 | Dexamethsone 8 mg tablet | 4.98 | 0.62 |
5 | Dexamethsone 10 mg tablet | 4.88 | 0.49 |
Average of Col (4) = Rs.0.56 [ Average of the derived price of Dexamethasone 1 mg tablet] Therefore, derived price of Dexamethasone 6 mg tablet = Rs. 3.36 per tablet excluding GST [Rs. 0.56 X 6] | |||
