Medicine Price Hike from April 1: Full List of Affected Diabetes & Heart Drugs

New Delhi: Essential medicines for managing conditions like diabetes, cancer, heart disease, and bacterial infections such as painkillers, antibiotics, anti-infectives, anti-diabetics and cancer drugs are set to become more expensive after April 1. The price hike in medicines is expected as part of the annual drug price adjustment for those listed in the National List of Essential Medicines (NLEM), based on WPI.

Prices of controlled-category medicines in the NLEM are expected to rise by nearly 1.7% in the upcoming financial year 2025-26, according to Business Today. However, the government is yet to confirm this.

National Pharmaceutical Pricing Authority (NPPA) memo states, "The annual change in WPI works out as 1.74028% during the calendar year 2024 over the corresponding period in 2023. As per the provisions of Paragraph 16 (2) of Drugs Price Control Order (DPCO) 2013, the manufacturers may increase the Maximum Retail Price (MRP) of Scheduled formulations on the basis of this WPI."

"No prior approval of the government in this regard shall be required," it added.

List of Few Medicines to Get Costlier

The adjusted prices will apply to around 1,000 drugs listed in the NLEM, with price changes for scheduled drugs allowed once a year. The essential medicines list includes common drugs like paracetamol, antibiotics such as azithromycin for bacterial infections, anti-anaemia medications, vitamins, minerals, and some steroids.

Also Read: Here's What Will Get Costlier in Karnataka From April 1

Industry experts have said that in recent years, prices of key active pharmaceutical ingredients have increased by 15% to 130%, with paracetamol rising by 130% and excipients up by 18-262%. 

Glycerine and propylene glycol, used in liquid preparations like syrups and oral drops, have become 263% and 83% more expensive, respectively. Additionally, prices of intermediates have risen between 11% and 175%, with Penicillin G costing 175% more.

The list also includes drugs used to treat infections, neurological disorders, palliative care, cardiovascular diseases, antiseptics, diuretics, gastrointestinal issues, and respiratory tract conditions.