Supreme Court questions govt over drug pricing, asks why cap limited

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The Economic Times daily newspaper is available online now. Read Today's Paper Supreme Court questions govt over drug pricing, asks why cap limited to anti-cancer medicinesBy Indu Bhan, ET BureauLast Updated: Oct 12, 2026, 03:12:00 PM ISTSynopsis

The Supreme Court expressed its worry over the government's restriction of price control measures to only anti-cancer drugs, questioning why other vital medications lack similar oversight when sold at exorbitant rates. The Solicitor General emphasized the importance of maintaining a balance between drug availability and market dynamics in determining prices.

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Loading...×The Supreme Court on Monday questioned the Centre over restricting price controls to anti-cancer medicines, asking why similar measures were not being considered for other drugs, while hearing a petition concerning the sale of essential medicines at inflated prices.

The apex court asked the government how patients would benefit if pharmaceutical manufacturers were allowed to fix drug prices. It also questioned the justification for higher medicine prices.

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"We are talking about all the drugs, not only cancer drugs," the court observed.

The observations came after Solicitor General Tushar Mehta informed the court that the government had approved a cap on margins charged on the sale of anti-cancer medicines, limiting them to 30% of the maximum retail price (MRP).

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The court questioned whether the cap on anti-cancer medicines had been introduced only following its harsh observations during earlier proceedings.

Also Read: Supreme Court bars coercive action by CBI against people linked to Punjab govt

Appearing for the Centre, Additional Solicitor General Aishwarya Bhati argued that the government needed to balance medicine availability and market considerations while regulating prices.

She submitted that the government could not control the entire market ecosystem, adding that excessive intervention could adversely affect the market.

The Supreme Court has listed the matter for further hearing on October 27.
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Read More News onSupreme Court drug pricingmedicine price controlpharmaceutical pricingessential medicines pricinggovernment drug regulationsSolicitor General Tushar MehtaAishwarya Bhatimaximum retail priceOctober 27 Supreme Court hearing

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Read More News onSupreme Court drug pricingmedicine price controlpharmaceutical pricingessential medicines pricinggovernment drug regulationsSolicitor General Tushar MehtaAishwarya Bhatimaximum retail priceOctober 27 Supreme Court hearing

(Catch all the Business News, Breaking News and Latest News Updates on The Economic Times.)

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