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The essential drugs used for treating ailments like diabetes, hepatitis, and cancer are costlier now by 3.84 per cent with effect from April 1. The National Pharmaceutical Pricing Authority (NPPA) has issued the price hike after the government allowed pharmaceutical companies to hike rates of 509 essential medicines.

The new prices are fixed in line with the wholesale price index of 2014 under Drug Price Control Order, 2013."As confirmed by the economic adviser (Minister of Commerce and Industry), the annual increase in the wholesale price index (WPI) works out at 3.84 per cent during calender year 2014 over the corresponding period in 2013," NPPA stated in a notification.

The Alpha Interferon injection used to treat hepatitis B and C as well as certain types of cancer, carboplatin injection used for cancer treatment, fluconazole capsules indicated for fungal infections, and others also went costlier with the decision.

The representatives of Indian Pharmaceutical Alliance (IPA) have lauded the government’s decision as they won’t be getting chance to hike the prices (frequently or repeatedly in a year).

The hike in the prices also applicable to condoms, which are also, comes under the essential category. Along with the medicines and condoms, some antibiotics which have Amoxicillin capsules also became costlier with effect from April 1.

At present the government has control over 348 essential medicines based on the simple average of all medicines in a particular therapeutic segment with sales of more than 1 per cent.

-Kannamsai