Anti-cancer drug pricing: NPPA clarifies identification of government sales

The National Pharmaceutical Pricing Authority (NPPA), India’s drug pricing regulator, has clarified how pharmaceutical supplies qualify as “Government sales” under its trade margin rationalisation framework. According to the FAQs issued on October 23, 2026, a sale qualifies where either the Maximum Retail Price (MRP) is not printed on the product package or the package carries the label “For supply to Government; not for sale”.

The clarification follows NPPA’s October 17, 2026 order under the Drugs (Prices Control) Order, 2013, which rationalises trade margins for 137 identified non-scheduled anti-cancer medicines, with revised prices effective November 9, 2026.