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NPPA Mandates Drug Price Display on Retailers’ Websites to Boost Transparency

• By Newsdesk
• New Delhi
• Feb 12, 2025

News

In a move to enhance consumer awareness and prevent overcharging, India’s drug pricing regulator, the National Pharmaceutical Pricing Authority (NPPA), has directed all retailers, including online pharmacies, to prominently display updated drug prices on their websites. The directive aims to ensure greater transparency in medicine pricing and empower consumers to make informed purchasing decisions.

The NPPA has warned that strict action will be taken against pharmacies failing to comply with the order. The issue gained prominence as several online platforms had previously resisted displaying drug prices, citing an interpretation of Paragraph 24 of the Drugs (Price Control) Order, 2013 (DPCO), which requires price information to be displayed in a "conspicuous part of the premises."

Clarifying this provision, the NPPA stated that the term "premises" applies not only to physical stores but also to digital platforms, including e-commerce websites, mobile applications, and online portals. Consequently, all retailers—whether operating through brick-and-mortar stores or online platforms—are now required to display the latest price list of medicines in compliance with the DPCO 2013 guidelines.

A senior NPPA official emphasized that this initiative will allow consumers to compare prices and make well-informed choices regarding their medications. "Retailers must ensure that the price list and any supplementary updates provided by manufacturers are easily accessible to the public," the official added.

Failure to adhere to this directive could lead to penalties, including fines and imprisonment, reinforcing the NPPA’s commitment to enforcing drug price transparency across India’s pharmaceutical retail sector.