Centre to cap trade margins on non-scheduled cancer drugs to 30% of MRP

AI Summary

The Centre plans to cap trade margins on non-scheduled cancer medicines at 30% of their maximum retail price. The government says the measure could reduce prices substantially and save patients an estimated ₹2,500 crore annually.

Average trade mark-up on these drugs now around 170%, reaching 700% in some cases; intervention to cut prices by up to 70% of MRP, resulting in cumulative annual savings of ₹2,500 crore for patients