Cancer Drug Prices Cut; Karnataka Orders Strict Compliance by Pharmacies, Hospitals

Bengaluru: The Karnataka government has directed pharmacies, hospitals and drug manufacturers across the state to strictly implement revised prices of cancer medicines, following a nationwide price reduction by the National Pharmaceutical Pricing Authority (NPPA).

Health Minister U T Khader said the state had taken up the issue with the Centre after an investigation by the Food Safety and Drug Administration Department found a significant gap between procurement costs and maximum retail prices (MRPs) of 253 cancer medicines.

Acting on the findings and following Chief Minister D K Shivakumar’s directions, the state government wrote to the Union health minister and the NPPA on September 23, 2026, seeking corrective action.

The NPPA has since revised the prices of around 1,366 products covering 137 cancer medicines. The revised rates, effective November 9, are expected to benefit patients across the country.

The price of a 400 mg Bevacizumab injection has been reduced from Rs 42,000 to Rs 13,136, while the cost of one cycle of Palbociclib has come down from Rs 9,787 to Rs 3,147.

Khader said the department had directed manufacturers, distributors, pharmacies, hospitals and nursing homes to ensure that patients were charged no more than the revised MRP. Any excess amount collected must be refunded as per law. Manufacturers have also been asked to maintain uninterrupted supplies and prevent shortages.

The minister said patient bills must clearly mention both the purchase cost and MRP of medicines. The Drugs Control Department will conduct inspections across Karnataka, and violations will invite action under the Drugs (Prices Control) Order, 2013.

He urged patients and their families to check revised prices on medicine packs and retain bills and prescriptions. Prices can also be verified through the Pharma Sahi Daam app or the NPPA website. Complaints about overcharging or denial of medicines can be lodged through the department’s QR code or the NPPA helpline, 1800-111-255.

Khader said the government was committed to ensuring that financial constraints did not prevent cancer patients from accessing treatment.