Last Updated on January 18, 2025 by The Health Master
Nicotine
The National Pharmaceutical Pricing Authority (NPPA) has started a move for the regulation of the nicotine replacement therapies (NRTs) prices in India.
This move started after the inclusion of NRTs in the National List of Essential Medicines (NLEM) 2022, a significant step towards improving access to these life-saving treatments for smokers.
Data Collection for Ceiling Price
The NPPA has issued a directive to all the manufacturers and marketing firms that are manufacturing the specific NRT formulations, tablets, mouth dissolving strips, and oral inhalers, to submit the data regarding this.
This data includes:
- Price to Retailer: The selling price of the NRT formulations to medical stores or pharmacies.
- Annual Turnover: Total sales turnover for the past 12 months (November 2022 to October 2023).
This information required by the NPPA is very important to fix the ceiling prices for these essential drugs, i.e., nicotine replacement therapies, for ensuring accessibility and affordability for the consumers.
Inclusion of NRTs in the NLEM 2022
The inclusion of NRTs in the NLEM 2022 has several important implications:
- Enhancing the officially recognized importance of NRTs in smoking cessation treatment.
- It opens the way for better coverage of insurance and further reimbursement for patients.
- It brings NRTs under the ambit of price control regulations, make them more affordable.
Existing Price Controls on NRTs
The NPPA has already fixed the ceiling prices for other NRT forms, which include:
- Nicotine Lozenges: 2mg and 4mg strengths
- Nicotine Gum: 2mg and 4mg strengths
- Nicotine Pastilles: 2mg and 4mg strengths
These ceiling prices are fixed to ensure that these essential drugs can be easily accessible to a wider rage of population.
Prescription-Only Status
While there have been many demands for over-the-counter availability of some of NRTs, the regulatory stance is currently in the favor that these should be available on the prescription only.
- DTAB Recommendation: Based on a report from the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR), the Drugs Technical Advisory Board (DTAB) has recommended that all NRTs should be available only on prescription.
- Rationale: This recommendation emphasizes the importance of medical supervision during the use of NRTs to ensure effective and safe treatment for the patients.
What are NRTs?
NRTs are drugs, i.e., nicotine replacement therapies, that help people quit smoking without the harmful effects of tobacco smoke by releasing small amounts of nicotine in the body.
Why are NRTs important?
NRTs are effective smoking cessation aids that increase the chances of quitting smoking successfully.
How do NRTs work?
NRTs help to reduce withdrawal symptoms of smoking experienced by smokers who are trying to quit, e.g., cravings and irritability.
Disclaimer: This article contains information obtained from the source mentioned below. Our team made changes in the format to rewrite and present the news or article in a unique format.
Disclaimer: The information we have provided is for general knowledge and for informational purpose only and it cannot be treated as medical advice. Always consult your doctor for any health issues and / or for the treatment of the same. The Health Master does not claim responsibility for this information.
Note: This article is for informational purposes only and should not be considered medical advice. Always consult with a healthcare professional for guidance on smoking cessation and the use of NRTs.
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