The NPPA (National Pharmaceutical Pricing Authority) has approved the price hike in over 900 medicines, painkillers and diabetes medication, as per reports. The increased costs may pose challenges for consumers relying on these medications.

The price hike will affect medicines including Azithromycin, Ibuprofen, some diabetes medicines Hydroxychloroquine among others, as per a media report.

Drug manufacturers can increase the pricing of their medicine for up to 1.75% without any approval required. For any price hike beyond that, NPAA’s approval is required.

According to Union Minister of State for Chemicals and Fertilizers Smt Anupriya Patel, the price hike has been approved in the light of increased WPI (Wholesale Price Index) in 2024 compared to 2023.

The prices for following medicines have been fixed or increased–

• Azithromycin, widely used as antibiotic, will cost ₹11.87 for 250 mg and ₹23.98 for 500 mg tablets.the price is ₹23.88.
• Similarly, dry syrup amoxicillin and clavulanic acid, also used as an antibiotic, will cost ₹2.09 per millilitre.
• Acyclovir, an antiviral medicine will have a fixed price of ₹7.74 for 200 mg tablet and ₹13.90 for 400 mg tablet.
• Antimalarial hydroxychloroquine will cost ₹6.47 for 200 mg tablet and ₹14.04 for 400 mg tablet.
• Diclofenac, a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug, will cost ₹2.09 per tablet.
• Ibuprofen, widely used as painkiller, will cost ₹0.72 for 200 tablet and ₹1.22 for 400 mg tablet.
• Dapagliflozin, Metformin Hydrochloride, and Glimepiride, used as diabetes medication, will cost ₹12.74 per tablet.