Cancer Drug Price Cut: Prices May Fall Up to 70% From November 9 as NPPA Caps Margins on 137 Medicines – Check Which Cancer Drugs are Covered & How Patients Could Benefit

Cancer treatment in India could become more affordable from November 9, as the National Pharmaceutical Pricing Authority (NPPA) has capped trade margins at 30% on 137 non-scheduled anti-cancer drug formulations. The move is expected to reduce retail prices by up to 70%, depending on the existing price structure of individual medicines.

The decision aims to reduce excessive mark-ups across the medicine supply chain and provide financial relief to patients and their families. But how does this new measure compare with the earlier price-control initiative, and will every cancer medicine become cheaper? Here is what patients need to know.

Cancer Drug Price Cut From November 9: What Has Changed?

The NPPA has introduced the new measure under the Trade Margin Rationalisation (TMR) mechanism, using Paragraph 19 of the Drugs (Prices Control) Order (DPCO), 2013.

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Trade margins on 137 notified anti-cancer formulations will be capped at 30%. According to the Ministry of Chemicals and Fertilizers, the revised prices will take effect from November 9, 2026.

The expected reduction of up to 70% is not a fixed discount on every medicine. Actual savings will depend on the existing price and distribution margins of each formulation.

137 Cancer Drug Formulations Covered: Will Your Medicine Get Cheaper?

The order covers 137 non-scheduled anti-cancer drug formulations recommended by an expert committee constituted under the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS).

The committee includes oncologists, medical specialists, hospital experts and government officials. The ministry has said the list will be updated periodically.