Shillong: The government is cracking down on cancer drug costs. Starting later this month, it will cap trade margins at 30 percent of the maximum retail price for all non-scheduled anti-cancer medications. This rule hits domestic and imported goods alike, covering both branded and generic options. It also applies to patented and non-patented drugs.
Officials expect this move to impact 110 different medicines. This total includes 35 patented drugs. Prices could drop by as much as 70 percent. The state wants to stop excessive mark-ups across the supply chain. This policy aims to lower out-of-pocket costs for patients who often pay for treatment over many years.
Government sources said the intervention is designed to address wide variations in trade margins and ensure that patients have access to life-saving treatments at more affordable prices without disrupting the availability of medicines in the market. Patients stand to save about 2,500 crore rupees every year. The government previously capped margins on select drugs in 2019, but this new mandate vastly expands that reach.
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