Published Nov 11, 2026 | 2:15 PM ⚊ Updated Nov 11, 2026 | 2:15 PM
Andhra Pradesh Health and Family Welfare Minister Satya Kumar Yadav
The Andhra Pradesh government has rolled out measures to ensure that cancer patients fully benefit from the reduction in drug prices announced by the Centre.
Health Minister Satya Kumar Yadav has directed officials to ensure that the revised prices apply not only to newly supplied medicines but also to existing stocks available at hospitals and medical stores.
The Centre had reduced the prices of 1,364 anti-cancer drugs across the country with effect from November 9. Prices of 671 brands have been cut by more than 50 per cent, with the maximum reduction going up to 96.45 per cent.
With the price cuts being implemented, the Minister reviewed the revised prices, availability of medicines and regulatory measures to be taken by hospitals and pharmacies.
The Drug Control Department has directed hospitals to prominently display the revised price lists issued by pharmaceutical manufacturers at their medicine counters and on their websites.
Medicines carrying old MRP labels need not be returned to manufacturers, nor is there any requirement to reprint revised prices on existing packages. However, they must be sold at whichever is lower: the revised price or the MRP printed on the package.
Bills issued to patients must clearly mention the brand name, batch number, maximum retail price (MRP) and the amount charged. Hospitals must also display information regarding patients’ rights and grievance redressal mechanisms in both Telugu and English at pharmacy counters, cancer treatment departments and day-care clinics.
The Minister has instructed every Drug Inspector to inspect all cancer hospitals and treatment centres under their jurisdiction within seven days.
The inspections will focus on whether commonly prescribed cancer medicines are available at the reduced prices, whether at least one company’s product is stocked for every drug, and whether revised price lists are prominently displayed.
Officials have also been directed to examine bills issued from November 9 onwards to verify compliance with the revised prices. Special attention will be given to ensuring that medicines carrying old MRP labels are also being sold at the reduced rates.
The Minister directed hospitals providing cancer treatment to maintain adequate stocks of prescribed medicines. At least one company’s product at the revised price should be available for every medicine, he said.
Patients have also been advised to purchase medicines according to their actual requirements, as excessive bulk purchases and hoarding could affect availability for other patients.
Officials have been instructed to seize relevant bills and records wherever medicines are found to be sold above the revised prices.
Hospitals and pharmacies that fail to display revised price lists will be issued written directions to comply with the regulations within 24 hours.
Violations such as refusal to sell medicines and sales to unauthorised persons will also be investigated, with appropriate legal action initiated against those responsible.
Patients can approach the Drug Control Department if cancer medicines are unavailable, pharmacies charge more than the revised prices or medicines are refused.
Patients can lodge complaints through:
– Drug Control Department WhatsApp: 8632330909
– Email: dca-grams@ap.gov.in
– NPPA Toll-Free Number: 1800-111-255
Also Read:
Cancer drug price cuts average 50.8%, but reduction is just 13.8%, say access groups
(With inputs from Sarath Chandra B. Edited by R Rajesh Kumar.)
