NATIONAL PHARMACEUTICAL PRICING
India wants more factories, fabs and data centres. Where will the water come from?
India holds about 4% of global freshwater resources, while its demand is projected to double by 2030. The industrial sectors are increasingly vulnerable to water shortages, which may significantly affect growth plans and investments. Treatment of municipal wastewater presents a viable alternative for meeting industrial water needs and can create a new revenue source for urban areas.
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.
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.
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.
Charting the global economy: Job growth in US tops all forecasts
US employment rose significantly last month, with the jobless rate declining to 4.1%, indicating robust economic activity. Labor productivity increased sharply in the third quarter, reflecting business adaptation to rising costs and greater efficiency.
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.
Stock picks of the week: 5 stocks with consistent score improvement and upside potential of up to 28% in 1 year, according to analysts
Despite the upbeat mood in the market, remember one thing: Valuations are still not cheap. Even after everything the market has been through, prices are not at a level you could call a bargain. So this is not a signal to rush in. It is a signal to stop treating every development as a threat, and to start weighing the good against the bad with a clear head, rather than a frightened one.
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.
Cancer drug prices fell in 2019 too, but mark-ups of up to 700% are back
The government's latest cancer drug price cuts may offer patients some relief, but the impact could be short-lived. An analysis of medicines covered in the 2019 exercise found that mark-ups had risen to as much as 700% by 2026, raising questions about whether one-time price cuts can keep cancer treatment affordable.
Stocks in news: ITC, Marico, SBI, Yatra Online, NSE, Container Corp and Sun Pharma
Indian equity benchmarks experienced gains, with Nifty nearing the 23,500 resistance level and strong corporate earnings reported. ITC faced a decline in consolidated net profit, impacted by the cigarette business, despite revenue growth. Marico saw a significant rise in net profit and expanding EBITDA margins during the quarter. Container Corporation of India reported a subdued performance with a slight decline in net profit compared to last year.
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.
Short-term headwinds, yes; owning the ecosystem is better: 20 healthcare stocks with downside risk of 23% to upside potential of 41%
The healthcare sector is under scrutiny. The issue is pricing: What medicines cost and on what hospitals and the rest of the health ecosystem charge. And both the government and the courts have stepped in. At one level, that is not entirely a bad thing. Check out Stock Reports Plus, powered by Refinitiv, for price targets of over 4,000 listed stocks along with detailed company analysis focusing on five key components – earnings, fundamentals, relative valuation, risk, and price momentum – to generate standardised scores. SR+ Reports is a complimentary offering to ETPrime members.
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.
India’s drug pricing policy must balance affordability, medicine availability and pharma industry growth
The Government of India has recently capped trade margins on anti-cancer medicines at 30%. This decision has reignited the ongoing discussion about drug pricing and accessibility. The existing regulatory framework aims to provide affordable medicines while supporting the pharmaceutical industry. Ensuring pricing transparency and targeted interventions can help address excessive margins in the supply chain. The ultimate goal remains to enhance patients' access to quality medicines at reasonable prices.
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.
Cancer care can be cheaper: 6 steps to cut drug costs
India has capped trade margins at 30% on 137 non-scheduled anti-cancer drugs to reduce treatment costs. Experts call for standardised care, quality checks, cost-effective medicines and pooled procurement to improve affordability.
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