Big pharma resists India's drug price controls

Pharma giants are vehemently opposing the Indian government's proposal to apply the trade margin rationalization (TMR) formula to certain drugs with the aim of reducing drug prices.

The Organization of Pharmaceutical Producers of India (OPPI), an industry body representing multinational drugmakers, has argued that the move will adversely affect patient assistance programs (PAPs) that offer costly cancer care and rare disease treatments.

The Department of Pharmaceuticals (DoP) is in discussions with various stakeholders, including industry associations, on potential reforms to the drug pricing framework.