Government Revises MRPs of 643 Cancer Drug Brands, Cuts Prices by Up to 93.3%

The National Pharmaceutical Pricing Authority (NPPA) has revised the maximum retail prices (MRPs) of 643 brands of non-scheduled anti-cancer medicines, with cuts of up to 93.3%.  

According to news reports, the revised prices will come into effect on November 9, 2026. The list reflects information submitted by companies up to October 28, 2026. 

Palbociclib Prices Fall by Over 90% 

RPG Life Sciences’ Palbopro, a 125 mg palbociclib capsule, now costs ₹2,720 for a pack of 21 capsules, against ₹40,421.33 earlier. The reduction is 93.3%. 

Samarth Life Sciences’ ISOGEN, which contains the same drug, has recorded price cuts of around 91.4% to 91.6% across its 100 mg and 125 mg capsules. Khandelwal Laboratories’ WOMAZOL, an anastrozole 1 mg tablet, has fallen from ₹458.85 to ₹39.52 for a pack of 10 tablets. 

RPG Life Sciences’ ANARZOLE is now priced at ₹73 for 10 tablets, down from ₹695.76. Dr Reddy’s Laboratories’ Azacytin injection has been reduced from ₹6,337 to ₹1,495.04. 

Prices of Several Branded Drugs Unchanged 

The reductions have not extended to some major branded cancer medicines. Roche’s Avastin, which contains bevacizumab, remains priced at ₹1.23 lakh for a 400 mg vial. Biosimilar versions Bevacimab and Bevakalp have seen cuts of 86% and 69%, respectively. 

Keytruda, a pembrolizumab-based immunotherapy indicated for more than 21 cancer types, remains priced at ₹2.16 lakh. The MRPs of nivolumab brands marketed by Bristol Myers Squibb India and Dr Reddy’s have also remained unchanged. 

Patient Groups Raise Concerns Over Price Data 

The revisions follow the NPPA’s October 17 announcement of trade margin rationalisation covering 137 non-scheduled anti-cancer drugs. The measure was intended to address high trade margins in the supply chain. 

Patient groups have questioned the exclusion of medicines supplied free or at discounted rates through patient assistance programmes. They have also raised concerns about the use of company-reported data to calculate revised prices. 

Under the policy, the 30% cap on MRP, excluding GST, translates into a markup of 42.86% on the price charged to a stockist or distributor. The NPPA has said it will update the list as manufacturers submit revised prices. 

Read More: Mobile PLI Scheme Generates ₹25,000 Crore in Direct Taxes: Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw! 

Conclusion 

The new prices include reductions of more than 90% for some generic cancer medicines. However, the MRPs of several major branded therapies remain unchanged. 

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