New Delhi: The National Pharmaceutical Pricing Authority (NPPA) strictly monitors drug prices under the Drugs (Prices Control) Order, 2013 (DPCO, 2013) to prevent exploitation of consumers through overpricing, including the sale of loose or unpackaged medicines at rates higher than the prescribed per-unit Maximum Retail Price (MRP), the Parliament was informed.
The clarification came in response to questions raised during a recent Lok Sabha session on alleged consumer exploitation by pharmacies and medical stores in Maharashtra, where concerns were raised about medicines being sold in loose form at inflated prices.
Replying to the queries, the Minister of State for Chemicals and Fertilizers, Anupriya Patel, stated that under DPCO, 2013, every manufacturer is mandatorily required to print the MRP on the label of the container of each drug formulation. She further clarified that no dealer is permitted to sell any loose quantity of a formulation at a price exceeding the pro-rata MRP calculated from the printed price on the original strip or bottle.
The Government explained that NPPA continuously monitors drug prices and takes action against companies found overcharging consumers. This surveillance is carried out through multiple mechanisms, including inputs from Price Monitoring and Resource Units (PMRUs) established in States, State Drugs Controllers (including those in Maharashtra), samples purchased from the open market, market database reports, and complaints received through grievance redressal channels.
Addressing concerns specific to Maharashtra, the Minister informed the House that NPPA has not received any complaint regarding the sale of loose or unpackaged medicines at prices significantly higher than their per-unit MRP from Maharashtra or any other source to date.
The Government reiterated that the existing regulatory framework under DPCO, 2013 is adequate to curb such practices and ensure that consumers are not charged more than the legally permissible MRP for medicines, irrespective of whether they are sold in full packs or in loose form.