The National Pharmaceutical Pricing Authority (NPPA) has extended the revised ceiling price of Heparin Injection 5000IU/ml and 1000 IU/ml upto September 2021.

Earlier, vide SO. 2151(E) dated June 30, 2020, the authority had revised the ceiling price of Heparin Injection 5000IU/ml and 1000 IU/ml which was applicable up to December 31, 2020, and the same was extended up to March 31, 2021. 

However, in the 84th meeting under the DPCO, 2013, on March 10, 2021, the NPPA authority deliberated upon the matter in detail and considered the aspect of availability of Heparin Injection 1000IU/ ml and Heparin Injection 5000IU/ ml, a scheduled formulation, especially during the pandemic situation of COVID-19 and opined that any situation of non-availability due to increase in the price of APIs needs to be seen from a public interest perspective.

During the meeting, based on the report of the API Monitoring Committee highlighting the constant price increase of APIs and gauging the drug requirement in the market, NPPA has decided to further extend the ceiling price of Heparin Injection 5000IU/ml and 1000 IU/ml should be further extended up to September 2021, or until further order, whichever is earlier, in public interest.

The committee stated, “NPPA may continue with the increased ceiling price for Heparin Injection 1000IU/ml and 5000IU/ml, to ensure continuous availability of this essential drug. The ceiling price of Heparin may be reviewed after the COVID-19 situation becomes normal or earlier as deemed fit.”

Besides this, the authority has also directed that the provisions of para 13(2) of DPCO 2013 would not be applicable on the revised ceiling price of Heparin 1000IU/ml Injection and Heparin 5000IU/ml Injection up to September 30, 2021, or until further order, whichever is earlier.

The meeting took place under the Chairmanship of Chairman, NPPA and attended by key members of NPPA along with Dr Vinod Kotwal, Member Secretary, NPPA, A K Saha, Adviser (Cost), O/o Chief Adviser (Cost), Department of Expenditure, A Srija, Economic Advisor, Department of Economic Affairs and Dr V G Somani, DCG(I), CDSCO, Ministry of Health & Family Welfare.

Dr Ketan R Patel, Chairman and MD, Troikaa Pharmaceuticals said, “Due to continuous demand of Heparin Injection for use in COVID- 19 patients having serious infection, the prices of the API continue to be high. In view of this, the decision of the government of India is appreciable and in line with the prevailing market situation.”