The National Pharmaceutical Pricing Authority (NPPA) has fixed the retail prices of 30 drug formulations under the Drugs (Prices Control) Order (DPCO), 2013, covering medicines used in the treatment of diabetes, cardiovascular diseases, infections, allergies, pain management and nutritional deficiencies.The revised prices were notified this week by the Department of Pharmaceuticals under the Ministry of Chemicals and Fertilisers.The retail prices fixed by NPPA are exclusive of Goods and Services Tax (GST) and apply to specific formulations manufactured and marketed by the companies mentioned in the order.Among the top medicines covered by the price control order are anti-diabetic formulations such as Empagliflozin-Sitagliptin-Metformin extended-release tablets, Sitagliptin-Glimepiride-Metformin tablets, Teneligliptin-Dapagliflozin tablets and Vildagliptin-Metformin tablets.The retail price of Empagliflozin-Sitagliptin-Metformin extended-release tablets has been fixed at Rs 14.88 per tablet and Teneligliptin-Dapagliflozin tablets have been priced at Rs 10.17 per tablet.The order includes many cardiovascular medicines, including combinations of Bisoprolol Fumarate and Amlodipine, Cilnidipine and Telmisartan, and Cilnidipine-Telmisartan-Metoprolol Succinate extended-release tablets.Notified retail prices for these formulations range between Rs 7.31 and Rs 14.95 per tablet, depending on strength and composition.For infection management, NPPA has fixed prices for Cefpodoxime and Potassium Clavulanate oral suspension, with notified retail prices of Rs 3.65 per ml and Rs 5.74 per ml for different strengths.The authority has also fixed the retail price of Bilastine and Montelukast Tablets, used in allergy treatment, at Rs 21.22 per tablet.Many vitamin and nutritional formulations have been brought under the latest price notification. These include Vitamin D3 oral solution, Cholecalciferol oral solution, Calcium-Vitamin D3-Methylcobalamin-L-Methylfolate tablets, and Myo-Inositol, D-Chiro Inositol and Vitamin D3 powder.The notification also covers pain-relief and anti-inflammatory medicines such as Diclofenac Diethylamine gel, Diclofenac Potassium-Paracetamol-Serratiopeptidase tablets and Dicyclomine Hydrochloride-Diclofenac Sodium injections.Among all 30 formulations listed in the notification, Tacrolimus prolonged release capsules 3 mg, used primarily in organ transplant patients to prevent organ rejection, carry the highest retail price fixed by the NPPA at Rs 127 per capsule.The NPPA has directed manufacturers to fix retail prices strictly in accordance with the notified rates and issue price lists to dealers, retailers and state drug controllers as required under DPCO provisions. The notification states that any overcharging beyond the approved retail prices will attract recovery of the overcharged amount along with applicable interest under the provisions of the DPCO, 2013 and the Essential Commodities Act, 1955.