The cost of cancer treatment in India could come down as the government moves to regulate the prices of more anti-cancer medicines. The National Pharmaceutical Pricing Authority (NPPA), under the Department of Pharmaceuticals, has capped trade margins at 30 per cent for 137 identified non-scheduled anti-cancer drugs. The move aims to address excessive trade margins and improve access to cancer treatment. According to the government, the maximum retail prices (MRPs) of these medicines are expected to fall by up to 70 per cent, depending on their existing price structures. The revised prices will take effect on November 9, 2026.
WHICH CANCER DRUGS WILL SEE PRICE CHANGES?
The 137 medicines include immunotherapy drugs used to treat more than 20 types of cancer. The list also covers Denosumab, used by breast and prostate cancer patients, and Pegfilgrastim, which helps prevent neutropenia in cancer patients.
Bevacizumab, an approved drug for colon, ovarian and cervical cancers, is also included. The government expects widely used medicines such as Pembrolizumab, Durvalumab and Osimertinib to become more accessible to patients.
An expert committee under the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS), comprising oncologists, medical specialists, hospital experts and government officials, recommended the 137 drugs. The list will be updated periodically.
HOW WILL THE CANCER DRUG PRICE CAP WORK?
The NPPA has capped trade margins at 30 per cent of the maximum retail price under Paragraph 19 of the Drugs (Prices Control) Order, 2013. The Gazette notification was issued on October 17, 2026.
The measure builds on a 2019 initiative that capped trade margins at 30% for 42 anti-cancer drugs. Following that exercise, the MRPs of 526 brands of non-scheduled anti-cancer medicines fell by up to 90 per cent.
WHEN WILL THE NEW CANCER DRUG PRICES TAKE EFFECT?
Manufacturers must inform the NPPA of their revised prices within seven days of the Gazette notification. They must also publish updated price lists on their websites and share them with retailers and hospitals.
From November 9, pharmacies and hospitals must charge the revised prices and display the updated lists. Hospitals must also publish the prices on their websites.
Patients can check revised medicine prices through the Pharma Sahi Daam app and the NPPA website.
WHAT DOES THIS MEAN FOR CANCER PATIENTS?
Hospitals and medical institutions, which receive a substantial share of anti-cancer drug supplies directly, must ensure that the revised prices are implemented. State drug controllers will monitor compliance among manufacturers, dealers, retailers, hospitals and medical institutions.
The government says the measure aims to curb excessive margins across distribution and retail channels while protecting legitimate manufacturer revenues and preventing artificial shortages. Pharmaceutical companies must maintain current production and supply levels to ensure uninterrupted access to the notified medicines.
The broader objective is to ease the financial burden on patients and families and improve access to cancer treatment.
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