Karnataka urges Centre to cap prices of heart and kidney drugs after NPPA move on cancer medicines

Karnataka has asked the Union government to expand price caps beyond cancer treatments to cover other high-cost, life-saving medicines used for heart and kidney conditions.

NPPA Decision And Committee

The National Pharmaceutical Pricing Authority gave in-principle approval on October 8 to cap trade margins on certain non-scheduled anti-cancer medicines at 30% of their maximum retail price. The Ministry of Health and Family Welfare has asked an expert committee under the Directorate General of Health Services to recommend specific medicines for price control, with a report expected by October 14. Officials estimate the measure could lower prices by 20% to 70%, saving patients about ₹2,500 crore.

State Action And Disclosures

Karnataka Health Minister U.T. Khader told reporters in Bengaluru that price changes must give direct savings to patients, noting that high treatment costs often force families to fall into debt or sell assets. State inspections previously found major gaps between procurement costs and patient charges across 253 medicines and consumables. In a September 23 letter to Union Health Minister J.P. Nadda, the State sought national action, including advanced therapy coverage under the Drugs Prices Control Order. Additionally, Karnataka issued an advisory circular on October 1 asking healthcare institutions to show both purchase costs and maximum retail prices in patient bills starting November 1.

Context

The National Pharmaceutical Pricing Authority operates under the central government to fix and revise prices of essential medicines in India. State governments often flag local pricing disparities to central authorities to push for broader regulatory oversight on drug mark-ups.