Volume : 13, Issue : 09, September – 2026
Title:
EVALUATION OF DRUG PRICING REGULATIONS UNDER THE DRUG PRICE CONTROL ORDER (DPCO) AND THEIR IMPLICATIONS FOR INDUSTRY AND PATIENTS.
Authors :
D. Bindu Bhavani*, P. Srikanth
Abstract :
The Drug Price Control Order (DPCO) serves as one of India’s most significant regulatory mechanisms for ensuring the affordability and accessibility of essential medicines. This study critically evaluates the framework, implementation, and outcomes of drug pricing regulations under the DPCO, with particular focus on their implications for the pharmaceutical industry and patients. The analysis traces the evolution of price control policies from the DPCO 1970 to the current DPCO 2013, examining the transition toward a market-based pricing model linked to the National List of Essential Medicines (NLEM). Using secondary data from the National Pharmaceutical Pricing Authority (NPPA), government reports, and peer-reviewed studies, the research assesses the extent to which the DPCO has achieved its dual objectives of consumer protection and sustainable industry growth.
Findings reveal that while DPCO interventions have effectively reduced prices of essential drugs and improved patient access, challenges persist in balancing affordability with innovation and profitability. Frequent revisions, compliance burdens, and pricing caps have influenced R&D investments and market dynamics, particularly for small and medium-sized enterprises. Conversely, the DPCO’s emphasis on transparency and rational pricing has strengthened regulatory oversight and promoted equitable healthcare. The study concludes that a more adaptive, evidence-based pricing framework—integrating pharmacoeconomic evaluations and stakeholder consultation—is essential for achieving long-term equilibrium between public health objectives and industrial competitiveness.
Keywords: Drug Price Control Order (DPCO), NPPA, pharmaceutical pricing, essential medicines, affordability, regulatory policy, India
Cite This Article:
Please cite this article in press D Bindu Bhavani et al., Evaluation Of Drug Pricing Regulations Under The Drug Price Control Order (Dpco) And Their Implications For Industry And Patients.,. Indo Am. J. P. Sci, 2026; 13(09).
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