Clotrimazole Cream Price Dispute: Govt upholds NPPA’s Ceiling Price

Glenmark Pharmaceuticals contested the NPPA's decision on the ceiling price for clotrimazole cream 1%

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NPPA National Pharmaceutical Pricing Authority
Picture: Pixabay

Last Updated on November 4, 2024 by The Health Master

Clotrimazole

This article explores a recent decision by the Department of Pharmaceuticals (DoP), Govt of India (Govt) regarding the pricing of clotrimazole cream 1%, a popular antifungal medication.

Glenmark Challenges NPPA’s Ceiling Price

Mumbai-based pharmaceutical company Glenmark Pharmaceuticals contested the National Pharmaceutical Pricing Authority’s (NPPA) decision on the ceiling price for clotrimazole cream 1%.

Glenmark argued that the NPPA made errors in calculating the price.

  • Incorrect Price to Retailer (PTR) Data: Glenmark claimed the NPPA used inaccurate data for calculating the PTR (Price to Retailer) for reference products like Surfaz 1% cream and Imidil Skin 1% cream.
  • Missing Market Share Products: Glenmark further argued that the NPPA overlooked certain market-relevant products with a share exceeding 1% during the price calculation. These excluded products included New Itch Guard 1% cream and Clean and Dry 1% cream.

NPPA Defends Methodology

The NPPA countered Glenmark’s claims by presenting its own justifications:

  • Unverified Price Data: The NPPA stated that the PTR figures provided by Glenmark for Surfaz and Imidil creams were higher than those reflected in their internal data source, Pharmatrac. Additionally, the NPPA highlighted that these companies hadn’t submitted the necessary documentation (Forms II and V) to support the claimed price revisions.
  • Product Mismatch: The NPPA clarified that the products from Reckitt Benckiser and Midas Care, mentioned by Glenmark, weren’t directly comparable. The product from Reckitt Benckiser contained different active ingredients (benzyl alcohol and terbinafine) compared to clotrimazole. Similarly, the Midas Care product had a higher clotrimazole concentration (2%) and a different MRP (Maximum Retail Price).

Govt Upholds NPPA’s Decision

After considering both sides of the argument, the DoP sided with the NPPA. The review authority acknowledged that the NPPA followed the Drugs Prices Control Order (DPCO) 2013 guidelines while determining the ceiling price.

Additionally, the DoP accepted the NPPA’s reasoning regarding the exclusion of products with different active ingredients or concentrations.

This decision by the DoP upholds the NPPA’s authority in regulating drug pricing and ensuring affordability for consumers.

It also highlights the importance of accurate data submission by pharmaceutical companies to ensure fair price calculations.

Disclaimer: This article contains information derived from the source mentioned below. Our team utilized an AI language model to rewrite and present the news or article in a unique format.

Disclaimer: This content, provides generic information only. It is in no way a substitute for a qualified medical opinion. Always consult a specialist or your own doctor for more information. The Health Master does not claim responsibility for this information.

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