Context: Hearing petitions on drug price regulation, the Supreme Court expressed shock that an essential cancer drug carried a printed MRP of Rs 27,000 against a price-to-retailer of just Rs 2,700, calling the mark-up 'broad daylight dacoity' against patients. The Bench asked why authorities responsible for price control had stayed silent and posted further hearing for September 29, 2026.
The Supreme Court, hearing two petitions on drug-related issues, took strong note of the overpricing of essential cancer medicines. A Bench of Justices Vikram Nath and Sandeep Mehta observed that one drug had a Maximum Retail Price (MRP) of Rs 27,000 while its price to retailer (PTR) was only Rs 2,700 — a ten-fold mark-up the Court termed "absolute rampage and carnage" and "broad daylight dacoity with patients." The petitions sought strict enforcement of price control under the Drugs (Prices Control) Order (DPCO), 2013, and disciplinary action against doctors who do not prescribe generic medicines.
The case touches on the Right to Health as part of Article 21 (Right to Life), the regulatory framework of the National Pharmaceutical Pricing Authority (NPPA) under the Essential Commodities Act, 1955, and the DPCO mechanism for price-capping essential and life-saving drugs. It is relevant for GS2 (governance, welfare schemes, judiciary's role in protecting socio-economic rights) and GS3 (health infrastructure, pharmaceutical industry regulation) and ties into ongoing debates on generic drug promotion (Jan Aushadhi scheme) and affordability of cancer care in India.
Test your understanding
Q1.Which body/mechanism is primarily responsible for capping prices of essential medicines in India?