In a major step toward making oncology therapies affordable and accessible, the National Pharmaceutical Pricing Authority (NPPA), under the Department of Pharmaceuticals, Ministry of Chemicals and Fertilizers, has issued revised Maximum Retail Prices (MRPs) for 543 brands of anti-cancer medicines. The revised price regime will formally take effect across India from November 9, 2026.
The updated price structure reflects data submitted by pharmaceutical manufacturers up to October 27, 2026, following the government’s directive on Trade Margin Rationalisation (TMR) announced on October 17, 2026. Under the public interest initiative, the NPPA enforced margin caps on 137 non-scheduled anti-cancer formulations to curtail excessive commercial markups and alleviate catastrophic out-of-pocket healthcare costs for cancer patients.
The price cuts span critical therapies, including targeted immunotherapy agents indicated for over 20 cancer types, denosumab for bone metastases in breast and prostate cancers, pegfilgrastim for chemotherapy-induced neutropenia, and bevacizumab for colon, ovarian, and cervical malignancies.
Key price reductions across major brands include,Bevacizumab (BEVACIZAB, Abbott): Slashed from ₹21,767.70 to ₹5,930.10 per 4 ml vial. Azacitidine (Azacytin, Dr. Reddy’s): Reduced from ₹6,337.00 to ₹1,495.00 per 100 mg injection.Denosumab (Debrumab, RPG Life Sciences): Cut from ₹22,031.25 to ₹5,941.00 per 1 ml PFS.Anastrozole (ANARZOLE, RPG Life Sciences): Down from ₹695.76 to ₹73.00 for a 10-tablet pack.Dasatinib (Dasanat 20, Natco Pharma): Reduced from ₹2,812.50 to ₹1,085.90 for 60 tablets.Fulvestrant (Fulbreca, RPG Life Sciences): Down from ₹26,072.16 to ₹5,491.00 per 5 ml vial.
The NPPA noted that the price master is being updated continuously as remaining pharmaceutical companies submit revised schedules for their non-scheduled oncology portfolio.
Written by: Pragna Biswas
Graphics by: Pramit Hazra
