New Delhi, Oct. 8 -- The Centre is preparing to cap trade margins on all non-scheduled anti-cancer medicines at 30% of their maximum retail price (MRP), a move that could cut retail prices by as much as 70% and save cancer patients an estimated Rs.2,500 crore to Rs.3,500 crore a year, according to three senior government officials familiar with the matter.

The order is expected soon, ahead of a Supreme Court hearing on 12 October, where the government is expected to present its framework for making cancer therapies more affordable.

The proposed cap would cover branded and generic drugs, domestically produced and imported medicines, and patented and non-patented drugs, the officials said. It would target trade mark-ups between manufactur...