Parliament Question: Regulating prices of pharmaceutical drugs

GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF CHEMICALS AND FERTILIZERS DEPARTMENT OF PHARMACEUTICALS RAJYA SABHA STARRED QUESTION NO. *35 TO BE ANSWERED ON 3rd FEBRUARY, 2026 Regulating prices of pharmaceutical drugs 35 Ms. Swati Maliwal: Will the Minister of Chemicals and Fertilizers be pleased to state: (a) whether any consultations or policy reviews are underway for capping or regulating prices of pharmaceutical drugs, particularly high-cost and life-saving medicines, beyond those covered under National List of Essential Medicines; (b) whether National Pharmaceutical Pricing Authority has examined or recommended expansion of price controls, trade margin rationalisation or other regulatory measures for non- scheduled drugs and emerging high-cost therapies; (c) whether representations have been received from public health experts, patient groups, committees or State Governments seeking wider drug price regulation and action taken thereon; and (d) whether Government proposes to review Drugs (Prices Control) Order, 2013, to strengthen affordability? ANSWER THE MINISTER IN THE MINISTRY OF CHEMICALS AND FERTILIZERS (SHRI JAGAT PRAKASH NADDA) (a) to (d): A statement is laid on the Table of the House.Statement referred to in reply to the Rajya Sabha Starred Question No. * 35 (5th Position) for answer on 3.2.2026, raised by Ms. Swati Maliwal, regarding “Regulating prices of pharmaceutical drugs” (a) to (c) Consultations on policy issues are an ongoing and transparent activity which is undertaken by the Department to assess the relevance, impact and efficiency of the existing policy reform required, if any, keeping in view the interest of all stakeholders. The Department and National Pharmaceutical Pricing Authority (NPPA) has held consultation with various stakeholder with pharmaceutical industry associations like CII, FICCI, OPPI, IPA, AIMED, ADVAMED, MTAI, USIBC, ASSOCHAM, NATHEALTH etc., MSMEs Association like Laghu Udhyog Bharti, IDMA, FOPE, Patient advocacy groups like AIDAN, MSF, Patient Safety and access initiative of India Foundation. etc., on the matters concerning National Pharmaceuticals Pricing Policy, 2012 (NPPP, 2012) and Drug (Prices Control) Order, 2013 (DPCO, 2013). Feedbacks were received from the stakeholders on the operation of the existing policy framework. These suggestions/ feedbacks received during such consultations provide stakeholders input on issues requiring redressal in the existing policy, if any. The Department and NPPA remain engaged with stakeholders with a view to understanding issues and resolving them either under extant mechanism or by making appropriate provision (d) Review of DPCO, 2013 is a continuous process which is done periodically by the Department or as and when required to ensure that the provisions of DPCO, 2013 are enforced effectively so that the essential drugs are made accessible and available to the public at affordable price. ******