Prices for 800 basic drugs, including paracetamol, are expected to jump by 10.7 percent beginning in April

On Friday, the National Pharmaceutical Pricing Authority of India announced a 10.7 percent increase in the Wholesale Price Index (WPI) for the calendar year 2021 versus the same time in 2020.

This means that the prices of over 800 scheduled medications on the National List of Essential Medicines, which are required to treat the vast majority of common disorders, will increase by 10.7 percent beginning April 1.

Based on WPI statistics given by the Ministry of Commerce and Industry’s Office of the Economic Advisor, the yearly change in WPI works out to 10.76607 percent for the calendar year 2021 over the equivalent time in 2020, the NPPA announcement stated.

Medicines used to treat fevers, infections, heart illness, high blood pressure, skin problems, and anaemia will now be more expensive. Phenobarbitone, phenytoin sodium, Azithromycin, Ciprofloxacin hydrochloride, and Metronidazole are examples of such medications.

“This is brought to the attention of those involved for future action in accordance with the requirements of the Drugs (Price Control) Order, 2013,” it said.