India’s drug regulator has published revised MRPs for 543 cancer medicine brands, effective 9 November 2026, following government action to curb excessive medicine trade margins. The Department of Pharmaceuticals announced the list on 28 October, using company submissions received up to 27 October 2026.
For families paying for repeated purchases, the amount saved will depend on the exact medicine and pack prescribed. The list does not offer an identical discount across every cancer treatment.
Key Highlights
- Revised MRPs take effect on 9 November 2026 at retailers and hospitals
- The 543-brand list follows trade margin rationalisation covering 137 identified non-scheduled anti-cancer drugs
Why Cancer Medicine Prices Are Falling
The government’s 17 October 2026 announcement capped trade margins at 30% of MRP for the identified drugs under Paragraph 19 of the Drugs (Prices Control) Order, 2013. The measure targets the gap between prices within the supply chain and the amount charged to patients.
That 30% cap does not mean every pack becomes 30% cheaper. The reduction depends on its earlier price structure, which explains the different cuts in the published examples.
Nor do 137 drugs and 543 brands describe competing totals. One medicine may appear under different brand names or in different strengths and packs. A patient needs the entry matching their prescription, rather than a headline percentage attached to the drug generally.
New Cancer Medicine Prices: Old and Revised MRPs
The Department of Pharmaceuticals published these examples alongside its announcement. Each price applies to the specified pack, not automatically to other strengths sold under a similar name.
| Brand and Medicine | Strength and Pack | Old MRP | Revised MRP |
| Anastrozole, anastrozole | 1 mg; 10 tablets | ₹695.76 | ₹73.00 |
| Azacytin, azacitidine | 100 mg injection; 1 vial | ₹6,337.00 | ₹1,495.04 |
| Bevacizumab, bevacizumab | 100 mg/4 ml; 4 ml vial | ₹21,767.70 | ₹5,930.13 |
| Dasatinib 20, dasatinib | 20 mg; 60 tablets | ₹2,812.50 | ₹1,085.93 |
Anarzole’s listed reduction works out to ₹622.76 per pack, or approximately 89.5%. For an invoice containing 3 identical packs, the old MRP total would be ₹2,087.28 against ₹219 at the revised rate, a difference of ₹1,868.28.
That is a price illustration, not a dosing recommendation. It also compares MRPs: someone already buying below the old MRP needs to compare the revised selling price with their actual earlier bill to calculate personal savings.
What Changes at Hospital and Pharmacy Counters
The implementation instructions cover hospitals as well as retail pharmacies. From 9 November, they must charge the reduced prices for covered products and display the revised lists; hospitals must also publish the prices on their websites.
At the counter, two details deserve attention:
- Match the brand, strength, and pack size against the official entry
- Compare the medicine’s billed amount separately from administration or other treatment charges
A lower medicine MRP alone does not establish a lower all-inclusive treatment bill. An itemised estimate lets a family see whether the reduction reaches the medicine line without confusing it with other expenses.
The announced start date changes pricing, not the prescribed treatment schedule. Discuss any proposed delay or medicine substitution with the treating oncologist.
Where to Verify Prices and Report Overcharging
The government directs consumers to the NPPA website and Pharma Sahi Daam app for medicine prices. It will update the list as manufacturers submit further revisions, so retain the applicable entry alongside the purchase bill.
If a charge appears higher than the applicable MRP:
- Keep the invoice and a clear photograph of the pack label
- Record the purchase date and the seller’s details when raising the complaint
NPPA accepts pricing complaints through Pharma Jan Samadhan. A 20 March 2026 parliamentary reply lists its helpline, 1800-11-1255; the complaint form asks for medicine details and supporting documents.
For the next purchase, ask the dispensing pharmacy to identify the matching revised MRP and show it on the bill. A specific pack and invoice provide a firmer basis for resolving a discrepancy than a general claim about cheaper cancer medicines.
FAQs
Does the list cover 543 different cancer drugs?
The announcement refers to 543 brands, while the trade margin intervention covers 137 identified drugs. Brand entries and individual drug names represent different counting categories.
Will every patient save the percentage shown for Anarzole?
No. The reduction depends on the exact product and pack. Patients already receiving discounts need their previous bills to calculate the change in actual spending.
Where can I find the complete revised price list?
The Department of Pharmaceuticals links to NPPA’s portal in its announcement. Look for the revised non-scheduled anti-cancer drug MRPs effective from 9 November 2026 there.
Do the new prices apply to hospital pharmacies?
Yes. The government’s instructions require hospitals and retailers to charge the reduced prices from 9 November. Hospitals must also display revised prices on their websites.
What proof should accompany an overcharging complaint?
Keep the cash memo and medicine label showing the exact product details. Pharma Jan Samadhan’s registration form requires at least one supporting document for submission.
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