137 Cancer Drugs to Get Cheaper in India From November 9

Cancer patients in India may soon get major relief as the prices of 137 cancer medicines are set to fall by up to 70% from November 9, 2026. The National Pharmaceutical Pricing Authority (NPPA), the country's drug price regulator, has reportedly announced a new rule to limit the trade margins on these medicines to 30% of their maximum retail price (MRP), excluding Goods and Services Tax (GST). The move aims to reduce the high cost of cancer medicines and make treatment more affordable for patients and their families.

The decision comes after the Supreme Court raised concerns about the large difference between the prices at which medicines are sold to retailers and the maximum prices charged to patients. In some cases, this difference was reported to be as high as ten times. The new rule is expected to bring greater control over medicine prices and help patients save money on their treatment.

Why Are Cancer Drug Prices Being Reduced?

Cancer treatment can be very expensive, especially for patients who need medicines over a long period. Families often have to spend large amounts on medicines, hospital visits, tests and other medical needs. For some patients, the high cost of treatment can create serious financial problems.

Some cancer medicines have maximum retail prices of up to ₹5 lakh per vial or pack. The new decision covers 137 non-scheduled anti-cancer medicines. These include some patented drugs, which are medicines protected by patents.

By limiting trade margins, the government aims to reduce the gap between the price at which medicines enter the supply chain and the final price paid by patients. However, the actual reduction will depend on the medicine and its existing price.

What Is the New Rule for Medicine Prices?

The NPPA has reportedly used its powers under Paragraph 19 of the Drug Price Control Order (DPCO), 2013, to control the trade margins on the medicines included in the list.

A trade margin is the difference between the price at which a medicine is bought by a seller and the price at which it is sold onward. Under the new rule, the trade margin will be limited to 30% of the maximum retail price, excluding GST.

The revised prices will come into effect from November 9, 2026. The NPPA has also directed medicine manufacturers to inform the authority about their revised prices within seven days of the publication of the official notification.

Manufacturers must display the updated price lists on their websites and share them with retailers and hospitals. Hospitals will also have to clearly display the revised prices on their websites. These steps are intended to help patients and their families know how much the medicines should cost.

How Will Patients Check the New Prices?

Patients will be able to check the revised prices of medicines through the NPPA website and the Pharma Sahi Daam mobile app. These platforms can help consumers find information about medicine prices and understand whether the updated rates apply to their prescribed drugs.

Hospitals, medical institutions, pharmacies and medicine dealers will be expected to follow the new prices from the date the rule takes effect. State drug controllers will also take steps to ensure that manufacturers, retailers and hospitals follow the rules.

The price reduction may help patients who depend on costly cancer medicines, but the amount saved will vary from one drug to another. Patients should check the updated price of their prescribed medicine with a pharmacist or hospital and continue their treatment according to their doctor's advice.

The decision is part of wider efforts to make essential medicines more affordable in India. In 2019, the NPPA reportedly  said the maximum retail prices of 526 brands of non-scheduled anti-cancer medicines had been reduced by up to 90%. The latest decision extends the approach to another group of medicines, based on recommendations from an expert committee under the Directorate General of Health Services.

The new price rules are expected to offer financial relief to cancer patients and their families while improving transparency in the sale of medicines across the country.