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SC Questions 10-Fold Mark-Up on Cancer Drug (₹3,000 to ₹27,000) Under DPCO 2013

Target:UPSC GS-IIMPSCSSC GATeachingPrelims HighMains MediumStatic GK Link
29 Sept 2026
~2 min
Source: The Hindu
Key Data:₹3,000 PTR₹27,000 MRP10x mark-up16% retailer marginOctober 12, 2026
Bodies:Supreme CourtGovernment of India
Practice MCQs from today's news ▸
What This Article Covers

1.SC Bench (Justices Vikram Nath and Sandeep Mehta) questioned why the 16% retailer margin prescribed under DPCO 2013 is not applied uniformly to curb mark-ups.

2.Solicitor General submitted that private hospitals, not pharma companies, are the primary beneficiaries of the steep margins on cancer drugs.

3.The court flagged that private hospitals force patients to buy from in-house pharmacies, and inflated costs under government schemes like Ayushman Bharat ultimately burden taxpayers.

The Big Picture
Prelims · HighMains · Medium

The Supreme Court has called the steep pricing disparity on essential medicines — especially a cancer drug sold at ₹27,000 to consumers despite being supplied to retailers for ₹3,000 — as 'carnage'. The case challenges the enforcement of the Drugs (Prices Control) Order, 2013, and raises critical questions about healthcare affordability, taxpayer burden under Ayushman Bharat, and the role of private hospitals in overcharging patients.

Exam Lens

Quick Exam Facts From News

Court BenchJustices Vikram Nath and Sandeep Mehta
Key RegulationDrugs (Prices Control) Order (DPCO), 2013
Retailer Margin Under DPCO16% on MRP
Cancer Drug Price DisparityPTR: ₹3,000; MRP: ₹27,000 (10x mark-up)
Government Health Scheme MentionedAyushman Bharat
Next Hearing DateOctober 12, 2026

1-Minute Revision

  • ›Court Bench: Justices Vikram Nath and Sandeep Mehta
  • ›Key Regulation: Drugs (Prices Control) Order (DPCO), 2013
  • ›Target this Data: Cancer drug PTR ₹3,000 vs MRP ₹27,000 (10x mark-up)
  • ›Target this Nodal Body: Supreme Court Bench of Justices Vikram Nath and Sandeep Mehta
  • ›Target this Legal Point: Drugs (Prices Control) Order (DPCO), 2013 — 16% retailer margin on MRP

Mastered this topic? Test your knowledge with a full MCQ quiz.

Practice exam-style questions, track your score, and strengthen your recall.

Q1Static LinkageEasy

Which order under the Essential Commodities Act, 1955 governs the pricing of essential medicines in India?

Q2Statement-basedHard

Consider the following statements regarding the Supreme Court hearing on drug pricing:

1. The Supreme Court Bench consisted of Justices Vikram Nath and Sandeep Mehta.

2. The Solicitor General submitted that pharmaceutical companies are the primary beneficiaries of the steep mark-ups on cancer drugs.

3. The court posted the matter for further hearing on October 12, 2026.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

Q3Data-centricMedium

According to the news, what was the price to retailer (PTR) of the cancer drug cited by the Supreme Court?

Q4Application/ImpactMedium

What is the primary concern raised by the Supreme Court regarding inflated drug prices under government-funded health schemes like Ayushman Bharat?

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