F.No. 9(26)/01/DP/NPPA

Government of India
Ministry of Chemicals & Fertilizers
Department of Chemicals and Petrochemicals
National Pharmaceutical Pricing Authority

2E/21, Jhandewalan Extn.,
Link Road, New Delhi-110 055
Fax No. : 011-23682146
Dated : 27th May, 2003

Explanatory Note

Subject: Fixation/Revision of prices of bulk drugs Chloroquine Phosphate, Pentazocine, Procaine Penicillin G, Benzathine Penicillin G, Pyrantel Pamoate, Metronidazole Benzoate, Cefadroxyl Monohydrate, Ranitidine Hydrochloride, Cefazoline Sodium (Sterile), Vitamin C Plain, Vitamin C Coated, Sodium Ascorbate, Cefotaxime Sodium (Sterile), Erythromycin and its derivatives, Vitamin E Acetate, Pentoxifylline, Vitamin B2 and Vitamin B2-5 Phosphate under DPCO, 1995.

NPPA has revised the prices of 22 bulk drugs / bulk drugs derivatives vide notification in the Gazette of India Extraordinary No. S.O.577(E) to S.O.592(E) dated 23.5.2003. The prices of 9 drugs namely Chloroquine Phosphate, Pentazocine, Procaine Penicillin G, Benzathine Penicillin G, Pyrantel Pamoate, Metronidazole Benzoate, Cefadroxyl Monohydrate, Ranitidine Hydrochoride and Cefazoline Sodium have been revised on account of Customs Duty reduction as per union budget 2003-04. The price variation ranges from (-) 0.36% to (-) 1.77%. The upward price revision has taken place in the case of Vitamin C (Plain), Vitamin C (Coated) and Sodium Ascorbate mainly due to increase in the prices of imported intermediate 2-Keto Gluconic Acid in the International market. The prices of bulk drugs Cefotaxime Sodium and Erythromycin & its derivatives have been revised after conducting the detailed cost price study based on the data of major manufacturers of these drugs. Downward revision in the prices of Vitamin E Acetate, Pentoxifylline, Vitamin B2 & Vitamin B2-5 Phosphate have also been carried out based on the available data with NPPA. A statement showing the pre-revised and revised prices of the above drugs is enclosed. Copies of the notifications issued in this regard are enclosed. The notifications are also available on the NPPA website www.nppaindia.nic.in.

The revised notified prices shall become effective within 15 days from the date of notification in the Official Gazette. All the manufacturers of the formulations utilizing the drug in their scheduled formulations are advised to follow the provisions of DPCO, 1995 with regard to pricing of the derivative formulations.