Govt raises ceiling prices of BCG, Measles vaccines by 21%

NEW DELHI: The Centre has raised the ceiling prices of BCG, Measles and Measles-Rubella (MR) vaccines by astir 21% aft reconsidering an earlier pricing bid pursuing a reappraisal exertion by Serum Institute of India.In a gazette notification, the National Pharmaceutical Pricing Authority (NPPA) accrued the ceiling terms of BCG vaccine from ₹8.20 to ₹9.89 per dose, Measles vaccine from Rs 51.40 to Rs 62 per vial and Measles-Rubella vaccine from ₹72.90 to ₹87.93 per vial.The revision stems from a December 2024 NPPA bid that had fixed vaccine prices aft applying a 17.1% simplification linked to monopoly presumption nether the Drugs (Prices Control) Order, 2013.

Serum Institute subsequently sought a review, arguing that vaccines disagree from accepted medicines successful manufacturing processes, technology, therapeutic usage and marketplace dynamics.Examining the matter, the Department of Pharmaceuticals observed that the vaccines were of captious nationalist wellness significance, had shown comparatively unchangeable terms trends and imposed lone a minimal fiscal load connected citizens.

It besides noted that the products were being supplied by a azygous shaper astatine comparatively debased prices.NPPA subsequently revised the ceiling prices nether Paragraph 19 of the Drugs (Prices Control) Order, 2013 without applying the monopoly reduction, saying the determination would code the manufacturer's grievance and guarantee capable availability of the vaccines successful the market.