Which authority has capped the trade margins on non-scheduled anti-cancer medicines?
- A.Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation
- B.National Pharmaceutical Pricing Authority
- C.Drug Controller General of India
- D.Directorate General of Health Services
Correct answer
Explanation
The correct answer is the National Pharmaceutical Pricing Authority (NPPA), which works under the Department of Pharmaceuticals in the Ministry of Chemicals and Fertilizers and fixed the ceiling on trade margins for 137 anti-cancer drugs. Option D is the trap worth noticing: the Directorate General of Health Services, under the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, constituted the expert committee whose recommendations the cap follows, but it did not issue the price order itself. Option A, the Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation, is the drug regulator for approvals and quality, and option C, the Drug Controller General of India, heads that organisation; neither sets prices. Pricing powers rest with NPPA under the Drugs (Prices Control) Order, 2013, the same order whose Paragraph 20(1) lets companies take an annual increase.
Read the full article: NPPA Caps Trade Margins on 137 Anti-Cancer Drugs
Practice Questions
From which date do the revised prices of the 137 anti-cancer drugs take effect?
- A.1 November 2026
- B.9 November 2026
- C.17 October 2026
- D.1 January 2027
Show answer
NPPA capped the trade margin on the maximum retail price of 137 anti-cancer drugs, and the lower prices that follow from that cap begin on that day.
Read the full explanation →What is the estimated annual saving to consumers from the revised anti-cancer drug prices?
- A.Rs 1,250 crore
- B.Rs 2,340 crore
- C.Rs 3,502.31 crore
- D.Rs 7,800 crore
Show answer
The figure follows from price cuts reported in 1031 anti-cancer formulations, out of 1225 for which 76 companies filed revised prices, covering 121 drugs in all.
Read the full explanation →What is the maximum permissible trade margin on these anti-cancer medicines?
- A.10 per cent
- B.20 per cent
- C.30 per cent
- D.50 per cent
Show answer
That is the ceiling on the trade margin which sellers of these anti-cancer medicines must observe, and a company may take the annual price increase allowed by Paragraph 20(1) of the Drugs (Prices Control) Order, 2013 only while it continues to respect that limit.
Read the full explanation →Who chaired the first session of the Interaction Series of the Legislative Department?
- A.Smt. Akali V. Konghay, Additional Secretary
- B.Dr. Manoj Kumar, Additional Secretary
- C.The Union Minister of Law and Justice
- D.The Secretary, Legislative Department
Show answer
The correct answer is Dr. Manoj Kumar, Additional Secretary in the Legislative Department, who presided over the opening session.
Read the full explanation →Where was the first session of the Legislative Department’s Interaction Series held?
- A.Kartavya Bhavan 2, New Delhi
- B.Vigyan Bhawan, New Delhi
- C.Shastri Bhawan, New Delhi
- D.Bharat Mandapam, New Delhi
Show answer
The correct answer is Kartavya Bhavan 2, New Delhi, where the session was held in the legislative training auditorium on 5 November 2026.
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