1. ORGANISATION AND FUNCTION

The National Pharmaceutical Pricing Authority (NPPA), an independent body of experts in the Ministry of Chemicals and Fertilizers, was formed by the Govt. of India vide Resolution published in the Gazette of India No.159 dated 29.08.1997.

FUNCTIONS & DUTIES OF NPPA

NPPA is a five Member body as detailed below:

1. Chairman (in the rank of Secretary or Additional Secretary to the Govt. of India).
2. Member Secretary (in the rank of Joint Secretary to the Govt. of India)
3. Three ex-officio Members, one each from:
   1. Adviser, Department of Economic Affairs.
   2. Adviser, O/o Chief Adviser Cost, Department of Expenditure.
   3. Drug Controller General of India, M/o H&FW.

The Authority is entrusted with the task of price fixation/ revision and other related matters. The National Pharmaceutical Pricing Authority shall be empowered to take final decisions, which shall be subject to review by the Central Government as and when considered necessary. The Authority shall also monitor the prices of non-scheduled drugs and oversee the implementation of the provisions of the Drugs (Prices Control) Order. In addition to the above-mentioned functions, the Authority is entrusted with certain other functions as detailed in the Schedule annexed to the Resolution.

The Authority shall have power to regulate its own procedure for performing the functions entrusted to it. It may call for notes, memorandum, results of studies, data and other material relevant to its work, from official and non-official bodies / organizations, and hold discussions with them. The Authority shall be empowered to maintain close touch with the Ministries of the Central Government, State Governments, Industry, consumers and other related organizations.

Other functions of the National Pharmaceutical Pricing Authority are as follows:

1. To undertake and/or sponsor relevant studies in respect of pricing of drugs/formulations.
2. To monitor the availability of drugs, identify shortages, if any, and to take remedial steps.
3. To collect/maintain data on production, exports and imports, market share of individual companies, profitability of companies etc. for bulk drugs and formulations.
4. To deal with all legal matters arising out of the decisions of the Authority.
5. To render advice to the Central Government on changes/revisions in the drug policy.
6. To render assistance to the Central Government in parliamentary matters related to drug pricing.

POWERS AND DUTIES OF OFFICERS & EMPLOYEES OF NPPA

In exercise of the powers conferred by sections 3 and 5 of the Essential Commodities Act, 1955 (10 of 1955), the Central Government has directed that the National Pharmaceutical Pricing Authority shall also exercise the functions vested in the Central Government. A copy of the delegation order is available on the website of NPPA.

The general powers & duties of officers and other employees are as follows:

1. To implement and enforce the provisions of Drugs (Prices Control) Order in accordance with the powers delegated by Department of Pharmaceuticals
2. To deal with all legal matters arising out of the decisions of the Authority.
3. To monitor the availability of drugs, identify shortages, if any, and to take remedial steps
4. To render assistance to the Central Government in the parliamentary matters relating to the drug pricing.

PROCEDURE FOLLOWED IN DECISION MAKING PROCESS

The key decision-making points for the Authority are identified as follows:

1. Fixation/ revision of Ceiling Prices
2. Fixation of Retail Prices
3. Processing of Discontinuation intimations
4. Identification and processing of Overcharging cases
5. Monitoring and Enforcement activities including availability of medicines

The detailed process has been provided in DPCO, 2013 and is further detailed in various decisions of the Authority, and minutes of the same are available on the website of NPPA.

The final decision-making authority is the Authority except in certain cases where the powers have been specifically delegated to NPPA officials.

Related provisions, acts, rules etc.

NPPA, mainly, functions as per DPCO, 2013 which is an Order issued under Section 3 of the Essential Commodities Act, 1955.

Time limit for taking decisions, if any

The time limit for various activities is provided in OM dated 26-08-2020 which is available on the website of NPPA. Further, for certain activities like fixation of Ceiling Prices, the time limits are provided in DPCO, 2013.

Channel of supervision and accountability

The Channel of supervision and accountability is the same hierarchy as provided in the organization structure.

NORMS FOR DISCHARGE OF FUNCTIONS

National Pharmaceuticals Pricing Policy (NPPP), 2012 was notified by the Government of India on 7th December, 2012. The key principles for regulation of prices of medicines as outlined in the NPPP, 2012 are: (i) Essentiality of drugs, (ii) Control of formulation prices only and (iii) Market-based pricing. The National Pharmaceutical Pricing Policy (NPPP), 2012, in line with the principle of essentiality of medicines, adopted the National List of Essential Medicines (NLEM), 2011, as notified by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, for the purpose of fixation of drug prices.

Pursuant to the announcement of NPPP 2012, Government notified Drugs (Prices Control) Order, 2013 (DPCO, 2013) on 15th May, 2013. All the medicines specified in the National List of Essential Medicines 2011 (NLEM) were included in the First Schedule of DPCO, 2013 and brought under price control. Under DPCO, 2013, prices of drugs are fixed on 'Market based pricing' methodology in accordance with the principles outlined in the NPPP, 2012. Subsequently, NLEM 2015 and NLEM 2022 were released by the Standing National Committee on Medicines (SNCM) of Ministry of Health and Family Welfare. The revised schedule-I was notified by DoP based on NLEM 2022 vide S.O. 5249(E) dated 11.11.2022. Currently, 388 medicines are listed in NLEM 2022.

Under the DPCO, 2013, ceiling price of scheduled formulations is fixed based on the market-based data, inter alia, by taking average prices of all those brands who have market share more than or equal to 1% of total market turnover on the basis of Moving Annual Turnover (MAT) of a specified medicine. The ceiling price is derived by adding 16% margin on the average price to the retailer (PTR) for the specified medicine. As provided for under the Order, the local taxes if actually paid, wherever applicable on actual basis, will be added to the ceiling price to arrive at the Maximum Retail Price (MRP) to the consumers.

NPPA has fixed the ceiling prices in respect of 935 formulations as on 23.06.2026 including medicines for diabetes, cancer, cardiovascular diseases, analgesics and antipyretics and TB etc. The ceiling prices are revised annually based on Wholesale Price Index (WPI).

NPPA is also empowered, in case of extra-ordinary circumstances, if it considers necessary to do so in public interest, to fix the ceiling price or retail price of any drug for such period, as it may deem fit and where the ceiling price or retail price of the drug is already fixed and notified, the NPPA may allow an increase or decrease in the ceiling price or the retail price, as the case may be, irrespective of annual wholesale price index for that year.

NPPA has also fixed 3805 retail prices of new drugs as on 23.06.2026, which fall within the purview of Para 2(1)(u) read with Para 5 & 15 of DPCO, 2013. Further, NPPA also processes price exemption applications under Para 32 of DPCO, 2013.

The prices are notified through Gazette Notifications and these are uploaded on NPPA's website at https://nppa.gov.in.

NPPA is entrusted with the job of monitoring the availability of drugs and to identify shortages, if any, and to take remedial steps to make the drugs available. NPPA is carrying out this responsibility mainly through the Price Monitoring Resource Units (PMRUs) that function under the overall supervision of State Drugs Controllers (SDCs). NPPA also examines the applications under Para 21(2) for discontinuation of scheduled formulations.

Integrated Pharmaceutical Database Management System (IPDMS) 2.0

Integrated Pharmaceutical Database Management System (IPDMS) 2.0 is an integrated responsive cloud-based application for online information collection, processing and communication portal to monitor and regulate the prices of medicines and medical devices, to ensure availability and affordability of drugs and medical devices in the country. It provides a single window for submissions of all Forms as mandated under DPCO, 2013 & facilitates the stakeholders (Manufacturers/ Marketers/ Importers/ Public) to communicate with NPPA. IPDMS 2.0 is also automating the workflow of different divisions of NPPA.

"Pharma Sahi Daam" is a specialized online search tool and mobile application designed to provide consumers with instantaneous access to the prices of both scheduled and non-scheduled medicines. Developed by the National Pharmaceutical Pricing Authority (NPPA) under the Ministry of Chemicals and Fertilizers, the app empowers users to verify that medicines are being sold within government-approved price limits. By identifying instances of overpricing by pharmaceutical companies or chemists, the app serves as a vital tool for consumer protection. Should a discrepancy be found, users can seamlessly lodge a formal complaint through the app or via the web portal.

Complaints/ Grievance handling

Any individual or consumer organization or stockiest / distributor / dealer / retailer or State Drug Controller can lodge complaints at "Pharma Sahi Daam" (PSD) portal of NPPA, toll-free number 1800111255 from 10 A.M. to 6 P.M. on all working days & Email — monitoring-nppa@gov.in. 

RULES, REGULATIONS, INSTRUCTIONS MANUAL AND RECORDS FOR DISCHARGING FUNCTIONS, CATEGORIES OF DOCUMENTS HELD BY THE AUTHORITY UNDER ITS CONTROL

Title and nature of the record/ manual /instruction, List of Rules, regulations, instructions manuals and records, Acts/ Rules manuals etc.

1. DPCO, 2013
2. Essential Commodities Act, 1955
3. Documents related to Authority Meeting
4. Documents related to MDC meetings
5. Documents related to fixation of ceiling price, retail prices, MRP and Trade margins.
6. Documents related to overcharging cases
7. Documents related to discontinuation of scheduled medicines and invocation of Para 3 of DPCO, 2013

Transfer policy and transfer orders

Not applicable as all the officers and other employees are posted in NPPA on encadred posts/ deputation.

BOARDS, COUNCILS, COMMITTEES AND OTHER BODIES CONSTITUTED AS PART OF THE PUBLIC AUTHORITY

The details of Committee constituted:

1. Multidisciplinary Committee of Experts (MDC)
2. Standing Committee for examination of discontinuation cases
3. Committee on Redressal of complaints relating to Sexual Harassment of Women at workplace

DIRECTORY OF OFFICERS & EMPLOYEES

The Directory of Officers & Employees is available on NPPA's website.

MONTHLY REMUNERATION RECEIVED BY OFFICERS & EMPLOYEES INCLUDING SYSTEM OF COMPENSATION

The scale of pay in respect of various officers (as on 23.06.2026) are as follows:

NAME, DESIGNATION AND PARTICULARS OF PUBLIC INFORMATION OFFICER

Name: Shri Bhiva Ram Yadav

Designation: Assistant Director and CPIO

Address: 5th Floor, YMCA Cultural Centre Building, 1, Jai Singh Road, New Delhi – 110001
Email: bhiva[dot]yadav[at]gov[dot]in

Name: Shri Rajiv Wadhawan (For all matters other than Admin)

Designation: Advisor (Cost) and FAA

Address: 3rd Floor, YMCA Cultural Centre Building, 1, Jai Singh Road, New Delhi – 110001
Email: r[dot]wadhawan15[at]nic[dot]in

Name: Smt. S. Ahlladini Panda (For Admin matters)

Designation: Member Secretary and FAA

Address: 3rd Floor, YMCA Cultural Centre Building, 1, Jai Singh Road, New Delhi – 110001
Email: msecy[dot]nppa[at]nic[dot]in

1. NAME OF EMPLOYEES AGAINST WHOM DISCIPLINARY ACTION HAS BEEN PROPOSED/ TAKEN

No. of employees against whom disciplinary action has been

(i) Pending for Minor penalty or major penalty proceedings – Nil

(ii) Finalized for Minor penalty or major penalty proceedings- Nil

PROGRAMMES TO ADVANCE UNDERSTANDING OF RTI

The CPIO and FAA are routinely encouraged to gain knowledge about RTI through available online resources.

BUDGET AND PROGRAMME

BUDGET ALLOCATED TO EACH AGENCY INCLUDING ALL PLANS, PROPOSED EXPENDITURE AND REPORTS ON DISBURSEMENTS MADE ETC.

NPPA:

CAPPM:

FOREIGN AND DOMESTIC TOURS

Information related to procurements

THE MANNER OF EXECUTION OF SUBSIDY PROGRAMMES.

There are no subsidy programs being implemented by this office.

DISCRETIONARY AND NON-DISCRETIONARY GRANTS

The details of the grants given under CAPPM scheme are available on the website at the following address:

https://nppa.gov.in/en/cappmsguidelines

PARTICULARS OF RECIPIENTS OF CONCESSIONS, PERMITS OF AUTHORIZATIONS GRANTED BY THE PUBLIC AUTHORITY

No concessions or permits are issued by NPPA.

CAG & PAC PARAS

NIL

III. PUBLICITY BAND PUBLIC INTERFACE

PARTICULARS FOR ANY ARRANGEMENT FOR CONSULTATION WITH OR REPRESENTATION BY THE MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC IN RELATION TO THE FORMULATION OF POLICY OR IMPLEMENTATION THERE OF

Relevant Acts, Rules, Forms and other documents which are normally accessed by citizens

Essential Commodities Act, 1955 and DPCO, 2013.

Arrangements for consultation with or representation by – (a) Members of the public in policy formulation/ policy implementation, (b) Day & time allotted for visitors, (c) Contact details of Information & Facilitation Counter (IFC) to provide publications frequently sought by RTI applicants

All the draft working sheets for price notifications are published on the website for a specified period of time before the matter is placed before the Authority for consideration.

ARE THE DETAILS OF POLICIES / DECISIONS, WHICH AFFECT PUBLIC, INFORMED TO THEM

Yes, all the decisions are taken in the meetings of the Authority and the minutes of meeting of the Authority are placed on the website.

DISSEMINATION OF INFORMATION WIDELY AND IN SUCH FORM AND MANNER WHICH IS EASILY ACCESSIBLE TO THE PUBLIC.

Dissemination of information is done through various social media portals/ applications. Further, Pharma Sahi Daam portal is available on our website and the same is also available in the form of a mobile application. NPPA also publishes bimonthly e-newsletter Aushadh Sandesh.

FORM OF ACCESSIBILITY OF INFORMATION MANUAL/ HANDBOOK

All the documents are placed on the website.

WHETHER INFORMATION MANUAL/ HANDBOOK AVAILABLE FREE OF COST OR NOT

 Yes. All the documents are placed on the website, which can be downloaded free of cost.

1. E- GOVERNANCE

Language in which Information Manual/Handbook Available

English. However, all gazette notifications, E-newsletter, mobile application and other major documents are issued in both Hindi and English.

When was the information Manual/Handbook last updated?

DPCO 2013 was last updated in the year 2023.

Information available in electronic form

Yes.

Particulars of facilities available to citizen for obtaining information

All information relating to working of NPPA are available on the website https://nppa.gov.in. NPPA has also launched a facility for citizens named "Pharma Sahi Daam" where consumers can lodge online complaints against availability of medicines, overpricing of medicines, sale of 'new drugs' without prior price approval (WPA) and refusal of supply or sale of medicines.

Such other information as may be prescribed

1    Grievance redressal mechanism

Complaints can be filed on "Pharma Sahi Daam" application/ Portal or CPGRAMS portal.

2  Details of applications received under RTI and information provided

During F.Y. 2025-26, 431 number of applications were received and information were provided in all cases.

3    List of completed schemes/ projects/Programmes

CAPPM is currently being implemented by NPPA.

4    List of schemes/ projects/ programme underway

CAPPM is currently being implemented by NPPA. No other scheme is underway.

5    Details of all contracts entered into including name of the contractor, amount of contract and period of Completion of contract

* The contract for 17 DEOs is awarded to M/s Pankaj Security Services, M/s Shiva Security and House Keeping Services for 02 Drivers, M/s SM Construction Company for 04 cleaning staff, and M/s Hypex Manpower Servicces for the period of 01.06.2026 to 01.06.2028.

6    Annual Report

The Annual Report of DoP, containing updated of NPPA also, is published on the website https://pharma-dept.gov.in/.

7 Frequently Asked Question (FAQs)

FAQs are published in our bimonthly e-newsletter in every edition.

RECEIPT & DISPOSAL OF RTI APPLICATIONS & APPEALS

During F.Y. 2025-26, 431 number of applications were received. All the applications were disposed of. Further, during F.Y. 2025-26, 16 number of RTI appeals were received. All the applications were disposed of.

REPLIES TO QUESTIONS ASKED IN THE PARLIAMENT

NPPA provides inputs for the replies to PQs to Deptt. Of Pharmaceuticals.

1. INFORMATION AS MAY BE PRESCRIBED

Name & details of – (a) Current CPIOs & FAAs, (b) Earlier CPIO & FAAs from 1.1.2015

Details of third-party audit of voluntary disclosure –

(a) Dates of audit carried out, (b) Report of the audit carried

The Audit was carried out by DR R K SHARMA (Mahatma Gandhi State Institute of Public Administration) Indian National Science Academy, Chandigarh in June-2025 and Report of the audit carried out is available on the website.

Appointment of Nodal Officers not below the rank of Joint Secretary/ Additional HoD – (a) Date of appointment, (b) Name & Designation of the officers

No such nodal officer appointed.

Consultancy committee of key stake holders for advice on suo-motu disclosure – (a) Dates from which constituted, (b) Name & Designation of the officers

Details of the Committee to advise on suo-motu disclosure

(i) Advisor (Cost) & Appellate Authority – Chairman of the Committee

(ii) Assistant Director & CPIO – Member

(iii) Under Secretary (Admn. / Estt) – Member

The Committee was constituted on 06.02.2024.

Committee of PIOs/FAAs with rich experience in RTI to identify frequently sought information under RTI – (a) Dates from which constituted, (b) Name & Designation of the Officers

No such committee constituted.

1. INFORMATION DISCLOSED ON OWN INITIATIVE

Item / information disclosed so that public have minimum resort to use of RTI act to obtain information

All the major information and document are already placed on the website.

Guidelines for Indian Government Websites (GIGW) is followed (released in February 2009 and included in the Central Secretariat Manual of Office Procedures (CSMOP) by Department of Administrative Reforms and Public Grievances, Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievance and Pensions, Govt. Of India)

NPPA has not yet obtained STQC certification for its website and the same is under process.