The Centre has introduced a 30% cap on trade margins for 137 non-scheduled anti-cancer medicines to reduce treatment costs and improve access to affordable cancer care. The revised prices came into effect on November 9, 2026, following an order issued by the National Pharmaceutical Pricing Authority (NPPA) on October 17.
By November 9, 85 pharmaceutical companies had reported revised maximum retail prices (MRPs) for 121 medicines, covering 1,366 product units. The highest reported price reduction was 96.45%, while more than 650 formulations recorded reductions exceeding 50%.
The new regulation limits trade margins on the 137 selected medicines to 30% of their maximum retail price, excluding GST.
The cap applies across the pharmaceutical supply chain, including retail and hospital pharmacies. It covers different dosages and forms, including tablets, injections and combination products.
Manufacturers must calculate revised prices using the average price to stockists or distributors in March 2026 as the reference. Medicines already being sold below the revised price limit cannot become more expensive because of the new regulation.
According to the reported price revisions, the measure is expected to generate estimated savings of ₹3,541 crore for patients. The calculation compares original and revised prices against sales volumes recorded between April 2025 and March 2026.
Key figures include:
- 137 non-scheduled anti-cancer medicines brought under the cap.
- 85 pharmaceutical companies reported revised prices.
- 121 medicines had revised MRPs reported by November 9.
- 1,366 stock-keeping units covered by reported revisions.
- More than 650 formulations recorded price reductions above 50%.
- Highest reported reduction: 96.45%.
Patients can check revised prices through the NPPA website and the Pharma Sahi Daam application and portal.
The list includes several widely used cancer treatments, including targeted therapies, immunotherapy medicines and drugs used for blood cancers.
Examples include abemaciclib, osimertinib, olaparib, palbociclib, pembrolizumab, nivolumab, atezolizumab, pemetrexed, eribulin and lenvatinib.
The applicable revised price depends on the specific medicine, strength and formulation.
The intervention uses Paragraph 19 of the Drugs (Prices Control) Order, 2013, which empowers the Government to regulate medicine prices in extraordinary circumstances and in the public interest.
The initiative builds on an earlier trade margin rationalisation measure introduced for 42 non-scheduled anti-cancer medicines in 2019. The latest order extends the approach to 137 medicines, including patented drugs.
The trade margin cap complements several existing healthcare programmes:
- Ayushman Bharat PM-JAY: Provides eligible families with ₹5 lakh annual health cover for cashless hospital treatment.
- National Programme for Prevention and Control of Non-Communicable Diseases: Supports cancer screening, diagnosis and treatment infrastructure.
- HPV vaccination campaign: Provides free vaccination for eligible 14-year-old girls to help prevent cervical cancer.
- Jan Aushadhi Kendras: Offer affordable generic medicines, including cancer medicines.
- AMRIT pharmacies: Provide medicines for cancer and other serious illnesses at reduced prices.
- eSanjeevani: Expands access to medical consultations, including specialist advice.
