Platinum-based drugs are used to treat various types of cancer, including head and neck, breast, and gastrointestinal cancers.
In this regard, the National Pharmaceutical Pricing Authority (NPPA) held a meeting on June 4 with representatives from leading drug makers, including Pfizer, Fresenius, Zydus Lifesciences and Hetero. The people cited earlier said that senior executives from cancer hospitals, including Tata Memorial, also attended the meeting.
AgenciesPlatinum-based medicines face cost pressure
ET had reported in April about the looming possibility of disruption in production and shortage of such medicines due to the sharp increase in raw material prices.
The industry had sought a 50% increase in the prices of the three drugs. The ceiling price for carboplatin is currently ₹61.10 per 10 mg/ml vial. For cisplatin, it ranges from ₹70 to ₹300 per vial, based on the drug strength.
Following the report, the NPPA had directed the leading manufacturers of the drugs to furnish additional data, including the price escalation in raw materials over the last five years, duly certified by auditors.
Sources said the industry informed the government that raw material costs have shot up by more than 100% in the last six months.
They said there is no visibility on procurement and availability of active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs), as the final cost of medicines has not been increased by the NPPA, though the industry has been raising the issue since February. For instance, the price of carboplatin 10mg/ml in 2016 was ₹49.38, and the same in April 2026 was ₹60.48.
