Wockhardt, Biocon under NPPA scanner

29 Jun 2009 Evaluate

Wockhardt and Biocon have come under the drug price regulator National Pharmaceutical Pricing Authority (NPPA) scanner for allegedly violating pricing norms. NPPA has initiated an investigation against two insulin analogue brands, Wockhardt’s Glaritus and Biocon’s Basalog, for selling the medicine without a price approval.

Insulin is an essential medicine under the price control of NPPA. Wockhardt and Biocon have introduced glargine formulation in the market with their respective brand names. The pricing authority has already written to both the domestic companies asking them to explain their move.

The Mumbai-based pharmaceutical and biotechnology major Wockhardt had launched Glaritus in February this year. The company confirmed that it has received a query from NPPA on Glaritus’ price approval and has also responded to it. According to Wockhardt, Glaritus (glargine) is a long-acting insulin analogue available in the market. Such analogues of insulin are not covered under the definition of ‘scheduled bulk drugs’ and hence Glaritus prices were not referred to NPPA.

Biotechnology major Biocon’s product Basalog was launched in May 2009. The Bangalore-based company says that while NPPA’s norms seek to establish ‘reasonable prices’ for essential and life saving drugs, their product Basalog is already priced at a significant discount to other marketed products. As per the company’s understanding, glargine does not fall under the scope and definition of NPPA. Biocon is in the process of clarifying its position to NPPA in accordance with Drug Price Control Order, 1995.

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