Cheaper Cancer Medicines: What the New Margin Cap Means for Patients

On October 17, 2026, the National Pharmaceutical Pricing Authority capped the trade margin on 137 non-scheduled anti-cancer medicines at 30% of MRP. This decision took effect on November 9, 2026, resulting in an estimated savings of Rs. 3,357.49 crore.

• The trade margin cap applies to 137 non-scheduled anti-cancer medicines, including patented ones.
• As of November 4, 2026, 70 companies reported revised MRPs for 120 drugs, with the highest reduction at 96.45%.
• The revised prices are based on the average distributor price of March 2026.
• Companies must publish the price cuts in newspapers, on their websites, and share them with all retailers and hospitals.
• Any company that does not lower its prices has to deposit the overcharged amount with interest.
• The Government invoked its extraordinary public-interest powers under Paragraph 19 of the Drugs (Prices Control) Order, 2013.