UPSC | Prelims GS | 2026

The National Pharmaceutical Pricing Authority's trade margin rationalisation of 137 identified non-scheduled anti-cancer drugs was intended primarily to:

  1. Make cancer treatment more affordable by capping the trade margin at 30% of MRP
  2. Replace all non-scheduled drugs with scheduled drugs
  3. Raise the maximum retail price of anti-cancer drugs by 70%
  4. Remove the Drugs (Prices Control) Order, 2013

Answer

Correct Answer

Make cancer treatment more affordable by capping the trade margin at 30% of MRP

Explanation

The NPPA move aimed to reduce the MRP of identified non-scheduled anti-cancer drugs by up to 70%, using a 30% trade-margin cap under the DPCO, 2013. It did not convert all non-scheduled drugs into scheduled drugs. The policy sought lower, not higher, prices and retained the DPCO framework.

Topics: economy, nppa anti-cancer drug trade margins, pharmaceutical price regulation, public health