National Pharmaceutical Pricing Authority : Price Notification

(Published in Part II, Section 3, Sub-section (ii) of
the Gazette of India, Extraordinary, dated the 27th August, 1998)
Government of India
Ministry of Chemicals and Fertilizers
(National Pharmaceutical Pricing Authority)

New Delhi, the 27th August, 1998
Order

S.O. 725 (E) - whereas the National Pharmaceutical Pricing Authority was established vide the Resolution of the Government of India in the Ministry of Chemicals and Fertilizers No. 33/7/97-PI.I dated 29th August, 1997 inter alia, to streamline and simplify the fixation of prices of bulk drugs and formulations.
Whereas the Ministry of Chemicals and Fertilizers vide S.O. 637(E) dated 4th September, 1997 in pursuance of paragraph 26 of the Drugs (Prices Control) Order, 1995 delegated the powers in respect of paragraphs 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20 and 21 to be exercised by the National Pharmaceutical Pricing Authority on behalf of the Central Government;
Whereas the Intra-venous (I.V.) fluids are formulated mainly containing the bulk drugs namely dextrose, sodium chloride, mannitol, sodium lactate etc. The I.V. fluids formulations including Plasma Expanders and Transfusion Solutions were under price monitoring/control from 1962 to August 1987. However, these were placed out of price control in the Drugs (Prices Control) Orders, viz. DPCO, 1987 and DPCO, 1995. In para 9, 12 and 22.7.2 of the modifications in the Drug Policy, 1986 announced in September, 1994, it has been provided that a close watch on the prices of decontrolled medicines will be kept and in case the prices of these medicines rise unreasonably, the Government will take appropriate measures including reclamping of price control;

• Bulk Drug Prices
• Ceiling Prices

Whereas it was brought to the notice of the Government that there is a wide difference between the wholesale price and the maximum retail prices charged by the manufacturers/retailers putting unreasonable burden on the consumers, apart from providing unduly high trade margin to the market intermediaries. The wide difference is also reportedly resulting in to unethical trade practices harming the interest of both the manufacturers and the consumers.

Whereas the National Pharmaceutical Pricing Authority called for information relating to the stockist price/wholesale price and maximum retail price from the manufacturers and traders and also held deliberations with them;

Whereas the National Pharmaceutical Pricing Authority observed that the prices of I.V. fluids witnessed a sharp increase after the decontrol and as a result the consumers are being forced to pay unreasonably high prices for such I.V. Fluids; The existing trade margins were also found to be unreasonably high giving scope for unethical trade practices resulting in to market distortions.

Whereas during the deliberations with the manufacturers and trade it was felt that instead of regulating the prices of the entire range of I.V. fluid products, only commonly used formulations may be covered for the purpose of regulating the price as per the powers available under DPCO, 1995 for regulation of prices of decontrolled formulations;

Now, therefore, in exercise of the powers conferred under sub-para (b) of Para 10 of the Drugs (Prices Control) Order, 1995 read with S.O. No. 637(E) dated 4th September, 1997, issued by the Government of India in the Ministry of Chemicals and Fertilizers, the National Pharmaceutical Pricing Authority being satisfied that it is necessary in the public interest so to do, hereby notifies the retail prices exclusive of excise duty and local taxes, if any, of each of the following formulation packs of I.V. fluids as per the details given below :

Name of the formulation Strength/ composition (% w/v) Pack Size Maximum Retail price (excluding excise duty and local taxes)
In Plastic Bottle (in Rs.) In Glass Bottle (in Rs.)
(i) Dextrose Injection/Solution 5% 500 ml 17.00 21.00
(ii) Dextrose Injection/Solution 5% 540 ml 17.80 21.80
(iii) Dextrose Injection/Solution 5% 1000 ml 27.00 31.00
(iv) Dextrose with Normal Saline Injection/Solution Dextrose 5% and Sod. Chloride 0.9% 500 ml 17.00 21.00
(v) Dextrose with Normal Saline Injection/Solution Dextrose 5% and Sod. Chloride 0.9% 540 ml 17.80 21.80
(vi) Dextrose with Normal Saline Injection/Solution Dextrose 5% Sod. Chloride 0.9% 1000 ml 27.00 31.00
(vii) Normal Saline Injection/ Solution Sod. Chloride 0.9% 500 ml 17.00 21.00
(viii) Normal Saline Injection/ Solution Sod. Chloride 0.9% 540 ml 17.80 21.80
(ix) Normal Saline Injection/ Solution Sod. Chloride 0.9% 1000 ml 27.00 31.00

(a) The maximum retail prices (exclusive of excise duty and local taxes) of formulations manufactured in pack sizes other than those specified above shall be worked out by the manufacturers themselves as given under.

In Plastic Bottle (in Rs.) In Glass Bottle (in Rs.)
(i) Pack size upto 100 ml 9.00 13.00
(ii) Pack size above 100 ml and up to 1000 ml Rs. 9.00 plus Rs. 0.20 for each 10 ml in excess of 100 ml Rs. 13.00 plus Rs. 0.20for each 10 ml in excess of 100 ml

(b) The above prices are applicable to all manufacturers including the manufacturers in the small scale sector.

PN/14/98/F

F-20(8)/M&E/NPPA/98

(Dr. P.V. Appaji)
Deputy Director
National Pharmaceutical Pricing Authority

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Name of the formulation	Strength/ composition (% w/v)	Pack Size	Maximum Retail price (excluding excise duty and local taxes)
Name of the formulation	Strength/ composition (% w/v)	Pack Size	In Plastic Bottle (in Rs.)	In Glass Bottle (in Rs.)
(i) Dextrose Injection/Solution	5%	500 ml	17.00	21.00
(ii) Dextrose Injection/Solution	5%	540 ml	17.80	21.80
(iii) Dextrose Injection/Solution	5%	1000 ml	27.00	31.00
(iv) Dextrose with Normal Saline Injection/Solution	Dextrose 5% and Sod. Chloride 0.9%	500 ml	17.00	21.00
(v) Dextrose with Normal Saline Injection/Solution	Dextrose 5% and Sod. Chloride 0.9%	540 ml	17.80	21.80
(vi) Dextrose with Normal Saline Injection/Solution	Dextrose 5% Sod. Chloride 0.9%	1000 ml	27.00	31.00
(vii) Normal Saline Injection/ Solution	Sod. Chloride 0.9%	500 ml	17.00	21.00
(viii) Normal Saline Injection/ Solution	Sod. Chloride 0.9%	540 ml	17.80	21.80
(ix) Normal Saline Injection/ Solution	Sod. Chloride 0.9%	1000 ml	27.00	31.00

	In Plastic Bottle (in Rs.)	In Glass Bottle (in Rs.)
(i) Pack size upto 100 ml	9.00	13.00
(ii) Pack size above 100 ml and up to 1000 ml	Rs. 9.00 plus Rs. 0.20 for each 10 ml in excess of 100 ml	Rs. 13.00 plus Rs. 0.20for each 10 ml in excess of 100 ml