Cancer treatment in India is set to become more affordable following a major reduction in the prices of anti-cancer medicines. Revised maximum retail prices (MRPs) of 1,364 anti-cancer formulations came into effect on November 9, with the government estimating annual consumer savings of ₹3,540.38 crore.
The National Pharmaceutical Pricing Authority (NPPA), under the Department of Pharmaceuticals, capped trade margins on 137 anti-cancer drugs at 30% of their maximum retail price. The move follows recommendations by an expert committee constituted by the Directorate General of Health Services on October 17, 2026.
According to the Ministry of Chemicals and Fertilizers, 85 pharmaceutical companies had reported revised MRPs for 1,364 formulations covering 121 drugs as of November 8. Price reductions of more than 50% were reported for 679 brands, with the highest reduction reaching 96.45%.
Which Cancer Medicines Have Become Cheaper?
The revised prices cover several medicines used in cancer treatment, including immunotherapy drugs and medicines prescribed for different types of cancer.
These include:
- Bevacizumab: Used in the treatment of lung, colon, ovarian and cervical cancers.
- Denosumab: Used in breast and prostate cancer treatment to help prevent bone loss.
- Pegfilgrastim: Used to prevent neutropenia, a condition involving low levels of infection-fighting white blood cells.
- Pemetrexed: Used in the treatment of certain cancers, including lung cancer.
The government has also listed revised prices for several brands of these medicines. For instance, the MRP of Zydus Lifesciences’ Bryxta, a Bevacizumab 100 mg injection, has fallen from ₹25,995 to ₹3,318.
How Will the Price Reduction Work?
The NPPA’s Trade Margin Rationalisation initiative aims to limit excessive mark-ups across the pharmaceutical supply chain, including distributors, retailers and hospital pharmacies.
Under the revised rules, trade margins on the identified non-scheduled anti-cancer medicines are capped at 30% of the MRP. The measure is intended to reduce the gap between manufacturers’ selling prices and the amounts patients pay.
Retailers, dealers, hospitals and medical institutions must display the revised MRP lists. State drug controllers will monitor compliance, and no pharmacy or hospital outlet can charge more than the revised MRP.
How Can Consumers Check the New Prices?
Patients and caregivers can check revised medicine prices through the NPPA website or the Pharma Sahi Daam mobile application. The revised MRP printed on medicine packs should also be used to verify the applicable price.
Consumers can report overcharging or other violations through the Pharma Jan Samadhan portal or contact the NPPA helpline at 1800-111-255.
The price revisions are part of the government’s efforts to improve the affordability and accessibility of essential cancer medicines across India.
