Migraine-Y, three medicines for stomach ailments will be 50 per cent more expensive

Simultaneously, the government department allowed pharma companies to increase the prices of three drugs by 50 per cent

MUMBAI: Amid rising costs of medicines and hospitals in the wake of the Koro epidemic, the government has officially allowed pharma companies to slash the prices of three drugs by a whopping 50 per cent.

The National Pharmaceutical Pricing Authority has officially approved a drastic increase of up to 50 per cent in the prices of many drugs, including carbamazepine, ranitidine and ibuprofen.

Carbamazepine is used to treat epilepsy, while ranitidine is used to treat stomach and intestinal ailments as well as to prevent recurrence of intestinal ulcers. So ibuprofen is used to relieve headaches, toothaches, menstrual cramps, muscle aches and arthritis.

According to reports, NPP has allowed to increase the maximum prices of nine formulations of these three drugs. The 50 per cent hike in prices is an extraordinary step, the Drug Authority said.

"These drugs are low-cost drugs and have often been kept under price control," the report said. These drugs are used in the initial treatment i.e. first line of treatment.

The NPP is responsible for determining and modifying the prices of controlled drugs and formulations as well as ensuring the prices and availability of drugs in the country. Also monitors the prices of various drugs.

The NPPA, owned by the Pharmaceuticals Department, was recently directed to keep the prices of products of pharmaceutical companies and medical device manufacturers low on which the GST rate has been reduced to benefit consumers. These include drugs used to treat Covid-19, such as remedivivir and tocilizumab, as well as medical oxygen, oxygen concentration, and other Covid-19-related devices.