The maximum retail price of 500 mg paracetamol pills has been established at Rs. 2.30 by the Ministry of Health. It has published a gazette notice to that effect. The increased pricing will take effect on February 28, 2022.
The maximum retail price of paracetamol tablets/capsules 500 mg, according to the gazette, will apply to all brand names of the generic name of paracetamol tablets/capsules 500 mg.
“A manufacturer, importer, trader, distributor, pharmacist, medical practitioner, dentist, veterinary surgeon, medical institution including a private medical institution, pharmacy or person who or which is in possession of Paracetamol Tablets/ Capsules 500mg, for the purpose of sale shall not sell such Paracetamol Tablets/ Capsules 500mg above the maximum retail price specified in regulation 2 or revised retail price as may be determined in accordance with the provisions of regulation 6,” the Gazette said.
The National Medicines Regulatory Authority must determine the price for paracetamol in such dosage form or strength if the maximum retail price of such dosage form or strength of paracetamol is not specified, according to the Gazette.
Anyone who violates these regulations is guilty of an offence and will be tried under section 131 of the National Medicines Regulatory Authority Act, No. 5 of 2015.