The Indian government has announced a significant move to reduce the cost of cancer treatment by regulating the prices of various anti-cancer medications. The National Pharmaceutical Pricing Authority (NPPA), operating under the Department of Pharmaceuticals, has established a cap on trade margins at 30 per cent for 137 identified non-scheduled anti-cancer drugs. This initiative aims to tackle excessive trade margins, thereby enhancing patient access to essential cancer treatments.

According to government estimates, the maximum retail prices (MRPs) of these medicines are projected to decrease by as much as 70 per cent, contingent on their current pricing structures. The revised pricing structure is scheduled to come into effect on November 9, 2026, marking a significant step towards making cancer care more affordable for patients.

Details of the Cancer Drugs Affected

The list of 137 medicines includes a variety of immunotherapy drugs that are utilised for treating over 20 different types of cancer. Notably, it features Denosumab, which is commonly prescribed for patients suffering from breast and prostate cancers, as well as Pegfilgrastim, a medication that helps prevent neutropenia in cancer patients. Additionally, Bevacizumab, which is approved for treating colon, ovarian, and cervical cancers, is also part of this initiative.

Other widely used medications such as Pembrolizumab, Durvalumab, and Osimertinib are expected to become more accessible to patients following the price reductions. The selection of these drugs was recommended by an expert committee under the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS), consisting of oncologists, medical specialists, hospital experts, and government officials. The list of affected drugs will be updated periodically to reflect changes in treatment protocols and drug availability.

Implementation of the Price Cap on Cancer Drugs

The NPPA’s decision to cap trade margins at 30 per cent of the maximum retail price is based on Paragraph 19 of the Drugs (Prices Control) Order, 2013. A Gazette notification detailing this change was issued on October 17, 2026. This latest measure builds upon a previous initiative from 2019, which also capped trade margins at 30 per cent for 42 anti-cancer drugs. Following that intervention, the MRPs of 526 brands of non-scheduled anti-cancer medicines saw reductions of up to 90 per cent.

Manufacturers are required to notify the NPPA of their revised prices within seven days of the Gazette notification. They must also publish updated price lists on their websites and distribute them to retailers and hospitals. From November 9, pharmacies and hospitals are mandated to charge the new prices and display the updated lists prominently. Patients will have the option to verify the revised prices through the Pharma Sahi Daam app and the NPPA website.

Hospitals and medical institutions that receive a significant portion of their anti-cancer drug supplies directly are responsible for ensuring compliance with the revised pricing. State drug controllers will oversee adherence among manufacturers, dealers, retailers, hospitals, and medical institutions. The government aims to mitigate excessive margins across distribution and retail channels while safeguarding legitimate revenues for manufacturers and preventing artificial shortages of these vital medications.

The overarching goal of this initiative is to alleviate the financial burden on patients and their families while improving access to necessary cancer treatments, thereby enhancing the overall quality of care in India.

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