NATIONAL PHARMACEUTICAL PRICING AUTHORITY
Compulsory licensing of drugs only after exhausting all other measures: Department of Pharmaceuticals secretary Manoj Joshi
The government plans to address the high costs of innovative medicines by first negotiating prices. Compulsory licensing will be considered only after other alternatives are exhausted. Trade margins on high-cost drugs are being examined to enhance affordability. Discussions are ongoing with pharmaceutical companies to improve access and affordability of patented drugs. The government is also working on initiatives to support the local pharmaceutical manufacturing sector.
NPPA issues strict guidelines for trade margin rationalisation on 137 cancer drugs to benefit patients
The National Pharmaceutical Pricing Authority has implemented strict monitoring of Trade Margin Rationalisation for certain anti-cancer drugs. Compliance with revised prices has been mandated for manufacturers, retailers, and hospitals. They must display updated price lists to inform patients effectively. Complaints about overcharging or drug shortages can be reported through designated channels. State Drug Controllers have been instructed to submit compliance reports to ensure adherence by 16 November 2026.
Donald Trump suggests Tim Cook as Jensen Huang's replacement at Nvidia after CEO's resignation
Following the resignation of Jensen Huang as Nvidia's CEO, Donald Trump proposed Tim Cook as his successor. Nvidia has appointed Colette Kress as interim CEO while the board conducts its search for a permanent replacement. Huang's departure is linked to reports of alleged extramarital affairs and possible national security concerns.
Lupin partner Sandoz launches RanluspecTM across Europe for retinal disease treatment
Lupin Ltd has partnered with Sandoz to launch RanluspecTM, a biosimilar for Ranibizumab, across Europe. This launch will help to improve access to treatments for retinal and choroidal vascular diseases. The European Commission previously approved RanluspecTM in vial and syringe-filled presentations for medical use. The biosimilar targets conditions such as wet age-related macular degeneration and diabetic macular edema.
India may open doors to multinational pharma firms for first-in-human Phase I trials
India is considering modifications to its pharmaceutical regulatory framework to attract multinational companies for clinical trials. Discussions have commenced regarding allowing these companies to conduct Phase I trials in India. Authorities aim to enhance India's appeal for global drug innovation and development. Strengthening manufacturing compliance over the last two years has also been part of the plan.
Drugmakers tap China AI app boom to reach doctors as crackdown upends marketing
As scrutiny intensifies, Chinese pharmaceutical companies are shifting gears toward digital marketing initiatives. Traditional face-to-face communications are waning, prompting the industry to embrace AI-fueled applications for connecting with healthcare providers. These tools facilitate compliant relationships, sparking partnerships among health-tech firms to disseminate clinical information through digital channels. This marks a pivotal change in marketing dynamics within the pharmaceutical landscape.

Rs 500 can buy you 40 minutes on Yamuna! What passengers can experience aboard Delhi's first-ever river cruise
Delhi has got its first Yamuna cruise service, Namo Yamuna River Safari, offering a 40-minute ride between Sonia Vihar and Jagatpur. Inaugurated on Tuesday, the electric-powered cruise covers around 5 km, with tickets priced at Rs 500 per person and a capacity of 30 passengers. Here are the route, fare, ride duration and other details.

How Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang's extramarital affair could cause collateral damage in Washington
The affair between Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang and a Chinese businesswoman suspected of spying for Beijing has triggered investigations in the US, raising concerns over national security and the security of sensitive AI technology. The controversy has drawn scrutiny from Congress, the Justice Department and Nvidia's board, with President Donald Trump also weighing in.

Pharma & healthcare funds top mutual fund return charts with over 19% gains. Should investors invest now or wait for a correction?
Pharma and healthcare mutual funds have topped return charts in 2026 with over 19% gains. While strong sector growth supports the outlook, experts caution against chasing the rally and advise investors to assess valuations, risks and portfolio exposure.

EkaCare selected as tech partner for National Health Authority's Ambient AI-enabled Voice Scribe solution for doctors
EkaCare was selected through NHA's Expression of Interest process for Open-Source Ambient AI Enabled Voice-to-Text Solutions for Digital Health Record Creation under ABDM

Government extends ₹2,700-crore PLI scheme for medical devices till 2035-36, eases eligibility norms
The government has extended the ₹2,700-crore production-linked incentive (PLI) scheme for domestic medical device manufacturing until 2035-36 and invited fresh applications with relaxed eligibility and investment conditions. The revised rules remove the minimum sales threshold for claiming incentives and lower the minimum investment requirement to attract more manufacturers.

Over 1,300 anti-cancer drugs to get cheaper
India's National Pharmaceutical Pricing Authority is set to cap trade margins on anti-cancer drugs starting November 2026. The initiative aims to save around ₹2,500 crore annually for cancer patients. The list includes 1,366 drug brands, with substantial price reductions for several high-cost medications. However, some patented drugs will maintain their prices despite the changes. Patients and medical institutions are directed to display revised prices prominently.

Cancer drug prices revised from today; patients may save Rs 3,540 crore annually
The government has revised the prices of 1,364 anti-cancer medicine formulations effective from November 9. This decision aims to limit trade margins and reduce consumer costs for cancer drugs. According to official reports, this measure is expected to save consumers Rs 3,540.38 crore each year.

Cancer drug prices to fall by up to 96% from November 9; consumers set to save Rs 3,502 crore annually
Starting November 9, consumers in India will benefit from significantly reduced prices on 137 anti-cancer drugs. The government has capped trade margins on these medications, leading to an estimated annual savings of Rs 3,502.31 crore for consumers. Price reductions have been reported across 1,225 formulations, with some reductions exceeding 50 percent.

NPPA updates list of reduced MRP of 1,085 anti-cancer drugs
The National Pharmaceutical Pricing Authority updated the maximum retail price for 1,085 anti-cancer medicines. This revision follows a previous decrease of prices for 543 anti-cancer drugs announced on October 28. The updated list contains prices based on information submitted by pharmaceutical companies up to November 3. The NPPA will continuously update this list as more manufacturers submit revised prices.

Stop the price scam in our hospitals
A recent investigation in Maharashtra has shed light on concerning price hikes for medical supplies charged to patients. Items such as IV infusion sets have seen astronomical price increases, exceeding 2,800% over wholesale prices. Regulatory agencies have recognized that they lack jurisdiction over the pricing of medical disposables, amplifying worries about the potential for patient exploitation.

High Court restrains NPPA from action against AstraZeneca
The Delhi High Court has issued a temporary restraining order against the NPPA's actions toward AstraZeneca Pharma. This order remains in effect until the next hearing date, January 11. AstraZeneca has argued that its product may not fall under controlled drug prices. The NPPA has accused AstraZeneca of overcharging for the inhaler from May 2016 to November 2025. AstraZeneca denies these allegations and claims compliance with the price regulations.

NPPA list brings little relief: No price cut for 25% cancer drugs
Nearly one in four cancer drug packs in the NPPA’s revised price list will see no reduction in MRP, even as the overall average cut across 643 packs is 38.22%. Several high-cost patented medicines remain unchanged, prompting patient advocates to question how much relief the trade-margin cap will actually deliver when the new prices take effect on November 9.

Cancer drug price cuts leave costly brands untouched
Prices of several anti-cancer drugs are set to fall significantly starting November 9, offering some financial relief. However, the prices of top-selling patented treatments will remain unchanged after the revision by the NPPA. Generic cancer drugs will experience steep reductions, with some seeing over a 10-fold decrease in price. The Supreme Court is hearing petitions aimed at regulating high trade margins charged by hospitals.
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