New Delhi, Oct. 9 -- The government has approved a cap on the margins charged in the supply and sale of non-scheduled anti-cancer drugs. These margins will be limited to 30% of the Maximum Retail Price (MRP). The measure is expected to reduce medicine prices by up to 70% and help cancer patients save Rs.2,500 crore annually, significantly reducing the amount they pay from their own pockets.

According to a press release, essential cancer medicines included in the scheduled list are already subject to strict government-set ceiling prices. The new decision extends price protection to non-scheduled cancer medicines, which are outside that list, by limiting the margins added before they reach patients.

Meanwhile, an expert committee under th...