Cancer drugs to get cheaper in India from November 9: Full list of medicines and how much you could actually save

ANTI-cancer drugs are set to become cheaper in India from November 9.

The Ministry of Chemicals and Fertilizers said in a statement that as many as 137 cancer drugs have been included in the Trade Margin Rationalisation (TMR), in a bid to make treatment more affordable.

With the latest notification, the medicines, which include immunotherapy drugs used for treating over 20 types of cancer, as well as for breast, prostate, colon, ovarian and cervical cancer, will be subject to the price changes from November 9.

"The MRP of widely used anti-cancer drugs such as Pembrolizumab, Durvalumab and Osimertinib is expected become more accessible for cancer patients," the ministry said in a press release.

The latest decision builds on price controls introduced in 2019 on 42 anti-cancer drugs that cut prices by as much as 90%.

India to slash prices of cancer drugs: How much you could save now?

The ministry said the intervention is expected to bring down the MRP of the identified non-scheduled anti-cancer drugs by up to 70 per cent, depending on their existing price structures.

Trade margins on the drugs will be limited to 30 per cent of the maximum retail price, the ministry added.

"NPPA has capped trade margin at 30% of the Maximum Retail Price (MRP), in accordance with Paragraph 19 of the Drugs (Prices Control) Order (DPCO), 2013," the ministry said, adding, "This measure is expected to bring significant relief to the many patients and families affected by cancer, who often face high financial burden due to high cost of treatment."

The revised prices will take effect on November 9, 2026.

Calculation of prices:

Maximum Retail Price (MRP) = Price to Stockist/Price to Distributor (PTS/PTD) x { 1 + (TM/ (100 − TM)) } + Applicable GST

Where TM = Trade Margin not exceeding 30

Where PTS/PTD = PTS/PTD for the month of March-2026

Example: For a non-scheduled anti-cancer formulation:

Current MRP : ₹300 + Applicable GST

PTS/PTD: ₹70

Maximum allowable revised MRP as per formula given in official notification shall be:

₹70x{1+(30/(100−30))} = ₹100 + Applicable GST

Full list of cancer drugs to get cheaper from Nov 9

According to the ministry, the 137 identified non-scheduled anti-cancer drugs include

1. Immunotherapy drugs used for treating over 20 type of cancers

2. Denosumab used by breast and prostate cancer patients

3. Pegfilgrastim used to prevent neutropenia in cancer patients

4. Bevacizumab, an approved drug to treat colon, ovarian, and cervical cancer.

The ministry said the measure for TMR on anti-cancer drugs aims to control excessive trade margins in the distribution and retail channel while safeguarding legitimate manufacturer revenues and preventing artificial market shortages.

Pharmaceutical companies will be required to maintain current production and supply levels for the notified formulations to ensure timely and uninterrupted access for patients.

Govt's directive for sellers and buyers: How to check revised prices

In a directive to sellers and buyers of these anti-cancer drugs, the ministry said:

1. All manufacturers will be required to inform NPPA of their revised prices within 7 days of publication of the Gazette notification.

2. Manufacturers will be required to display the price lists on their website and widely disseminate to all retailers and hospitals.

3. All the retailers and hospitals shall charge reduced prices effective 9th November, 2026 and display the revised prices in their pharmacies.

4. Hospitals shall also prominently display revised prices on their websites.

5. Consumers can use the Pharma Sahi Daam app and NPPA website to check revised prices of drugs.