New Delhi: Minister of Chemicals and Fertilizers Mansukh L. Mandaviya told Loksabha in a written reply to a question that patients have saved Rs 11,462 crore because government ceiled prices of 856 vital medicines. Minister also said that after fixing the ceiling price of coronary stents, NPPA has been closely watching their availability in the country and no shortage has been reported so far in this regard. At present, prices have been fixed by NPPA for 856 formulations, including 4 medical devices, which are covered under Schedule–I of the DPCO, 2013.

"after fixing the ceiling price of coronary stents, NPPA has been closely watching their availability in the country and no shortage has been reported so far in this regard."

As per Paragraph 20 of the DPCO 2013, NPPA monitors the Maximum Retail Prices of all drugs, including the non-scheduled formulations and ensures that no manufacturer increases the maximum retail price of a drug more than ten percent of maximum retail price in preceding twelve months. NPPA is effectively monitoring the prices of medicines including the non-scheduled formulations and takes action against companies found overcharging.