Some essential medicines used to treat asthma, tuberculosis and other bacterial infections will become costlier, according to the latest directive from the Drug Pricing Authority of India.

The National Pharmaceutical Pricing Authority (NPPA), by invoking paragraph 19 of the Drugs (Price Control) Order (DPCO), 2013, has revised the ceiling prices of 11 scheduled formulations of eight essential medicines by 50%.

This is the third time that NPPA has revised the maximum prices of formulation drugs under DPCO.

Medicines affected by the price revision include:

• Benzyl Penicillin 10 Lakh IU Injection (used to treat various bacterial infections)
• Atropine Injection 06.mg/ml (to treat bradycardia – slow heart rate)
• Streptomycin Powder for Injection 750 mg and 1000 mg (to treat tuberculosis and other bacterial infections)
• Salbutamol tablets 2 mg and 4 mg and respirator solution 5 mg/ml (for treating asthma and other respiratory diseases)
• Pilocarpine 2% drops (used to treat glaucoma)
• Cefadroxil tablets 500 mg (to treat certain bacterial infections)
• Desferrioxamine 500 mg for injection (for the treatment of anemia and thalassemia)
• Lithium tablets 300 mg (used in mental health treatment)

Why will the prices of medicines increase?

The move came after pharmaceutical companies asked NPPA to increase prices of some medicines due to changes in key ingredients, production costs and rising currency exchange rates.

As per official advice, some companies have also stopped production of these essential medicines, due to which they will not make profits.

Doctors revealed that this increase in prices of medicines needed to treat asthma and tuberculosis could significantly affect patient outcomes.

“For tuberculosis, patients need to take the drug for 6 to 18 months, especially in cases like bone or brain tuberculosis. If prices rise, those receiving treatment from private practitioners may be affected. Patients who complete the full course can’t, which could “jeopardize the goal of a TB-free India,” said Dr Vibhu Kawatra, a New Delhi-based pulmonologist and allergist.

Dr Neetu Jain, pulmonologist at PSRI Hospital, New Delhi, said the price rise may also affect the purchasing power of many patients.

Similarly, asthma is a long-term condition that requires ongoing treatment. With rising drug prices, patients, especially those from low- and moderate-income families, may be unable to adhere to their medication schedules.

“Increased costs could unbalance their budgets, leading to incomplete treatment, which increases the risk of developing drug resistance,” Dr. Kawatra said.

Dr. Jain mentioned that this move by the government may allow patients to choose substandard medicines, which may hinder their recovery. It also causes “breakthrough disease (deep disease after treatment)”.

“These diseases can complicate the health condition of patients and they will not benefit much financially,” said Dr. Jain.

This price increase may discourage patients from taking the full course of the drug.

“The fact that the DPCO covers only essential medicines, which are critical from a public health perspective, means that a large section of the population will be affected,” Dr Kawatra said.

Experts agree that when prices of essential medicines like TB and asthma rise, patient health can deteriorate, and many may fail to complete their treatment.

This may lead to drug resistance and result in increased government health care expenditure.

“Patients unable to afford private care will have to go to government hospitals, putting pressure on the system,” Dr Kawatra said.