Centre caps trade margins on non-scheduled cancer drugs at 30 %, projects Rs 2,500 crore annual savings
Babushahi Bureau/PIB
New Delhi, October 9, 2026: The Central government has approved a cap of 30% on trade margins for non-scheduled anti-cancer medicines, a move expected to reduce prices by up to 70% and save cancer patients around ₹2,500 crore annually.
According to the Press Information Bureau (PIB), the decision extends price protection to cancer medicines that are not included in the government’s scheduled list of drugs already subject to ceiling prices.
An expert committee under the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS) will finalise the list of medicines to be covered. The National Pharmaceutical Pricing Authority (NPPA) will subsequently take a decision and issue the notification to implement the measure.
Some Cancer Drug Mark-ups Exceed 700%
The government said NPPA analysis of market data found that non-scheduled anti-cancer medicines carried an average price mark-up of around 170%, with mark-ups reaching 700% or more in some cases.
The high margins increase the financial burden on patients and their families, particularly those requiring expensive cancer treatment. Prices may also vary depending on whether medicines are purchased from retail pharmacies, hospital pharmacies or online platforms.
The proposed cap aims to curb excessive trade margins and make cancer medicines more affordable.
Builds on 2019 Price-Control Measures
The latest decision builds on a government intervention in February 2019, when the NPPA capped trade margins on 42 selected non-scheduled anti-cancer drugs under Paragraph 19 of the Drugs (Prices Control) Order, 2013.
According to the government, that measure reduced maximum retail prices by up to 91% and generated reported annual savings of ₹984 crore across 526 brands.
The expanded measure is expected to provide further financial relief to patients undergoing cancer treatment.
Manufacturers Must Maintain Production
To prevent supply disruptions, manufacturers of non-scheduled anti-cancer medicines will be required to maintain their existing production levels. The proposed intervention will cover branded and generic medicines, domestically manufactured and imported drugs, as well as patented and non-patented medicines.
The government said the measure is intended to improve affordability while ensuring the continued availability of these essential medicines.