Cancer Medicines To Get Cheaper: NPPA Revises MRPs Of 543 Anti-Cancer Drug Brands From November 9
The National Pharmaceutical Pricing Authority has published revised MRPs for 543 anti-cancer medicine brands, which take effect on November 9, 2026.
Photo: BuhaM / CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Pune, 29th October 2026: Families paying for cancer treatment could see some relief from next month. The National Pharmaceutical Pricing Authority (NPPA) has released revised maximum retail prices (MRPs) for 543 brands of anti-cancer medicines, and the new prices will apply from November 9, 2026.
“The revised MRPs will be effective from November 9, 2026,” the ministry said in its statement.
Where this comes from
On October 17, the NPPA, which works under the Department of Pharmaceuticals, announced a “trade margin rationalisation” for 137 non-scheduled anti-cancer medicines. In simple terms, it limited how much of a mark-up can be added between the manufacturer and the chemist’s counter. The new list of 543 brand prices is the result of that exercise.
Trade margins on some cancer drugs have been very high, which means patients often pay far more than what the medicine costs to make and distribute. Cutting those margins is meant to bring down the price patients pay without touching the drug itself.
Which medicines are covered
The 137 medicines in the exercise include:
- immunotherapy drugs used for more than 20 types of cancer
- denosumab, used in breast and prostate cancer
- pegfilgrastim, used to prevent neutropenia (low white blood cell count) in cancer patients
- bevacizumab, used for colon, ovarian and cervical cancers
The NPPA hasn’t put out a single figure for how much prices will fall, because the reduction varies from brand to brand.
A list that will keep growing
The current list is based on what companies had submitted up to October 27. The NPPA says it will add to it as more manufacturers send in revised prices for non-scheduled anti-cancer drugs, and the updated list is on the NPPA portal.
What patients and families can do
If you or someone in your family is on a long cancer treatment, it’s worth checking the NPPA list for the brand you use and comparing it with what you’re being charged after November 9. Ask your pharmacy or hospital pharmacy about the revised MRP, and keep your bills.
Please don’t switch brands or change a medicine on your own because of price. Talk to your oncologist first; they can tell you whether an equivalent, cheaper option is suitable.
This article is for general information only and is not medical advice.
More health stories are in our Health section. Also read: DA hiked to 63% for central government employees.
Frequently Asked Questions
When do the new cancer medicine prices start?
The revised MRPs for 543 anti-cancer medicine brands take effect from November 9, 2026.
Which cancer drugs are cheaper now?
The exercise covers 137 medicines, including immunotherapy drugs, denosumab, pegfilgrastim and bevacizumab. The full brand-wise list is on the NPPA portal.
Where can I check the revised price of my cancer medicine?
The NPPA has published the list of 543 brands with revised MRPs on its official portal, and it will be updated as more companies submit prices.
