India Approves Up to 50% Price Hike for Cancer Drugs, Tetanus Serum and Key Childhood Vaccines

The National Pharmaceutical Pricing Authority (NPPA) on Thursday issued three separate government notifications approving substantial increases in the ceiling prices of several essential medicines, including key chemotherapy drugs used in cancer treatment, anti-tetanus immunoglobulin injections, and major childhood vaccines. The authority said the decision was taken in view of rising raw material costs and the growing risk of supply shortages in the market. Cancer Medicines Receive 50% Price Increase Invoking its extraordinary powers under Paragraph 19 of the Drugs (Prices Control) Order (DPCO), 2013, the NPPA approved a 50% increase in the prices of two first-line chemotherapy medicines—Carboplatin and Cisplatin. Following the revision, the ceiling price of Carboplatin (10 mg/ml) injection has been increased to ₹90.74 per ml, while Cisplatin (1 mg/ml) is now priced at ₹10.89 per ml. According to the authority, the cost of Active Pharmaceutical Ingredients (APIs) used in manufacturing these medicines has risen significantly over the past few years, making production commercially unviable. Hospitals, cancer specialists, and manufacturers had already expressed concerns over supply disruptions. Officials noted that if these medicines became unavailable, cancer patients could be forced to rely on more expensive alternatives. The revised prices will be reviewed again after six months. Anti-Tetanus Serum Also Becomes Costlier The NPPA has also approved a 50% increase in the price of Anti-Tetanus Immunoglobulin injections, manufactured exclusively by Bharat Serums and Vaccines Ltd. The revised ceiling price for the 250 IU vial has been fixed at ₹1,912.02, while the 500 IU vial will now cost ₹2,881.19. The authority noted that when prices were fixed in December 2024, a 7.67% monopoly deduction had been applied because the product had only one manufacturer. However, the company argued that rising import costs for raw materials and currency fluctuations had resulted in continuous financial losses. Following intervention by the Department of Pharmaceuticals, a meeting held on May 18, 2026, accepted the company's concerns and approved the price revision. Prices of Key Childhood Vaccines Revised In a third notification, the NPPA revised the prices of three important childhood vaccines manufactured by the Serum Institute of India. The earlier 17.10% monopoly deduction has been removed, while a 0.64956% Wholesale Price Index (WPI) adjustment for 2026 has been added. Under the revised pricing: BCG vaccine has increased from ₹8.20 to ₹9.89 per 0.10 ml dose. Measles-Rubella vaccine (0.5 ml vial) has risen from ₹72.90 to ₹87.93. Measles vaccine has increased from ₹51.40 to ₹62.00. The Serum Institute had argued that vaccines should not be treated like conventional medicines because their manufacturing process and technology are fundamentally different. The government accepted the request, stating that the decision would help ensure uninterrupted vaccine availability and protect children's healthcare needs. Strict Action Against Pricing Violations The NPPA has directed all manufacturers to immediately revise their prices in line with the newly approved ceiling rates, excluding applicable GST. The authority warned that any company charging above the notified ceiling price will be required to refund the excess amount along with interest under the Essential Commodities Act, 1955. It also directed that manufacturers intending to discontinue production of these medicines must notify the government at least six months in advance.