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Core Purpose

The National Pharmaceutical Pricing Authority exempts M/s Wockhardt Limited from the provisions of the Drugs (Prices Control) Order, 2013 under para 32(i) for its formulation "Nafithromycin Tablets – Immediate release film-coated tablets – each film-coated tablet containing Nafithromycin 400 mg" for a period of five years or until patent expiry.

Detailed Summary

The National Pharmaceutical Pricing Authority (NPPA), established under the Ministry of Chemicals and Fertilizers, Department of Pharmaceuticals, issued Order S.O. 1593(E) on March 25, 2026. This order grants M/s Wockhardt Limited an exemption from the provisions of the Drugs (Prices Control) Order, 2013 (DPCO, 2013) under para 32(i) for its formulation "Nafithromycin Tablets – Immediate release film-coated tablets – each film-coated tablet containing Nafithromycin 400 mg". The exemption is for a period of five years from the date of commercial marketing or the expiry of the Indian patent (Patent No. 415319, granted 23.12.2022 under the Patents Act, 1970), whichever is earlier. The NPPA's decision, made in its 144th meeting on March 24, 2026, followed an application from M/s Wockhardt Limited, noting that the formulation was approved by the Office of Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation (India) under the Drugs and Cosmetics Act, 1940, and met the criteria of DPCO, 2013, para 32(i) due to its patented status. The powers for this exemption were delegated to NPPA by the Ministry of Chemicals and Fertilizers vide S.O.1394(E) dated May 30, 2013, under Sections 3 and 5 of the Essential Commodities Act, 1955. M/s Wockhardt Limited is required to inform NPPA of the commercial marketing date, Price to Retailer (PTR), and Maximum Retail Price (MRP) using Form V under DPCO, 2013, and to comply with price regulations or seek approval upon the exemption's expiry.

Full Text

REGD. No. D. L.-33004/99 The Gazette of India CG-DL-E-25032026-271287 EXTRAORDINARY PART II-Section 3-Sub-section (ii) PUBLISHED BY AUTHORITY No. 1528] NEW DELHI, WEDNESDAY, MARCH 25, 2026/CHAITRA 4, 1948 2210 GI/2026 MINISTRY OF CHEMICALS AND FERTILIZERS (Department of Pharmaceuticals) (NATIONAL PHARMACEUTICAL PRICING AUTHORITY) ORDER New Delhi, the 25th March, 2026 S.O. 1593(E)— Whereas the National Pharmaceutical Pricing Authority (NPPA) was established vide the Resolution of the Government of India in the Ministry of Chemicals and Fertilizers No. 33/7/97-PI.I dated 29th August, 1997, inter-alia, to fix prices and notify the changes therein, if any, of bulk drugs and formulations, monitor the prices of non-scheduled drugs and formulations and oversee the implementation of the provisions of the Drugs (Price Control) Order (DPCO). 2. And whereas the Ministry of Chemicals and Fertilizers vide S.O.1394 (E) dated the 30th May, 2013, in exercise of the powers conferred by Section 3 and 5 of Essential Commodities Act, 1955 has delegated the powers in respect of specified paras of the DPCO, 2013, including para 32 of the said order to be exercised by the NPPA on behalf of the Central Government. 3. And whereas an application was received from M/s Wockhardt Limited seeking exemption from the provisions of DPCO, 2013 under para 32(i) of the said order in respect of the formulation “Nafithromycin Tablets – Immediate release film-coated tablets – each film-coated tablet containing Nafithromycin 400 mg”, which was duly approved by the Office of Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation (India) under the Drugs and Cosmetics Act, 1940 and Rules thereunder. Further, the Patent Office, Government of India has granted Patent to M/s Wockhardt Limited for an invention titled "Pharmaceutical compositions” under the provisions of the Patents Act, 1970 (Patent No. 415319 and Date of Grant: 23.12.2022). 4. And whereas the NPPA in its 144th meeting dated 24.03.2026 noted that M/s Wockhardt Limited meets the requirement of para 32(i) of DPCO, 2013 and the formulation is covered under patent granted. Accordingly, the Authority decided that exemption may be granted to M/s Wockhardt Limited under para 32(i) of DPCO, 2013 for their formulation "Nafithromycin Tablets – Immediate release film-coated tablets – each film-coated tablet containing Nafithromycin 400 mg". 5. Now, therefore, in exercise of the powers delegated under para 32 of the Drugs (Prices Control) Order, 2013 vide S.O.1394(E) dated 30th May, 2013 issued by the Government of India in the Ministry of Chemicals and Fertilizers, M/s Wockhardt Limited is exempted from the provisions of DPCO, 2013 under para 32(i) of the said order in respect of the formulation “Nafithromycin Tablets – Immediate release film-coated tablets – each film-coated tablet containing Nafithromycin 400 mg" for a period of five years from the date of commencement of its commercial marketing by the manufacturer in the country or expiry of the Indian patent, whichever may be earlier. 6. M/s Wockhardt Limited shall inform NPPA, the date of commercial marketing of the formulation “Nafithromycin Tablets - Immediate release film-coated tablets – each film-coated tablet containing Nafithromycin 400 mg" in the country and the Price to Retailer (PTR) and Maximum Retail Price fixed by the company in respect of the said formulation by issuing a price list in Form V under DPCO, 2013. 7. M/s Wockhardt Limited, after the expiry of period of exemption granted under para 32(i) of DPCO, 2013, shall follow the notified ceiling price or seek retail price approval three months before the expiry of the exemption, if applicable, for the formulation “Nafithromycin Tablets – Immediate release film-coated tablets – each film-coated tablet containing Nafithromycin 400 mg”. [PN/276/144/2026/F/F. No. 8(144)/2026/D.P./NPPA-Div.-II] BHIVA RAM YADAV, Assistant Director Uploaded by Dte. of Printing at Government of India Press, Ring Road, Mayapuri, New Delhi-110064 and Published by the Controller of Publications, Delhi-110054. SARVESH KUMAR Digitally signed by SARVESH SRIVASTAVA Date: 2026.03.25 22:52:23+05:30

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