Supreme Court Questions Limited Drug Pricing Regulation for Cancer Medicines
The Supreme Court has called for a broader examination of drug pricing in India, challenging the Centre's focus on regulating trade margins solely for cancer medicines. A bench noted significant price disparities, such as a saline drip line priced at ₹11 but sold for ₹270. The court highlighted that 82 per cent of medicines fall outside the scheduled category, which limits price regulation. Solicitor General Tushar Mehta stated that a list of cancer drugs subject to a 30 per cent trade margin cap would be updated periodically. The court has scheduled further hearings on October 27 to address concerns over excessive markups and the need for comprehensive pricing regulations across the pharmaceutical market.
Published 1 day ago • 12 Oct 2026, 05:55 PM IST