‘National Pharmaceuticals Pricing Authority of India (NPPA) intervenes to bring down N95 prices. After NPPA isued an advisory to N 95 Manufacturers on 21st May 2020, major Manufacturer Venus introduced a hospital pack of 5 N95 masks and 5 surgical masks at Rs 395 Plus taxes.
More Manufacturer to follow the advisory. NPPA expect Price reduction by 25th May. In a PIL filed in Mumbai HC on the plea of bringing price cap for N95 masks, NPPA had submitted that looking to the demand supply mismatch, it had advised N95 Manufacturer to bring down prices voluntarily.
Please find below The directives on N95 mask in order to ensure availability at affordable and reasonable prices-
File No. 37007/2020/Div.III/NPPA
Government of India
Ministry of Chemicals & Fertilizers
Department of Pharmaceuticals
National Pharmaceutical Pricing Authority
3rd and 5th Floor,
YMCA Cultural Centre Building,
I, Jai Singh Road, New Delhi -110001
Dated: 21st May 2020
OFFICE MEMORANDUM
This refers to the grievances being received regarding hoarding, black-marketing and differential higher pricing of N-95 Masks in the country. In this context, it is hereby informed that N-95 Mask has been notified as an essential commodity under Essential Commodities Act, 1955 by the Government vide Notification dated 13th March 2020. Further, hoarding, black-marketing of the essential commodity is punishable offence under the Act. Further, this Office in exercise of the powers conferred under National Disaster Management Act, 2005 had directed all States/UT Governments to ensure sufficient availability of surgical and protective Masks, Hand Sanitizers and Gloves at prices not exceeding the Maximum Retail Price printed on the pack size vide Orders dated 13th March 2020.
2. In the prevailing situation due to COVID-19, a mismatch is noted between the demand and supply of N-95 Masks in the country. As per Guidance issued by the Ministry of Health & Family Welfare and World Health Organization (WHO) for management of COVID-19, it has been stated that Medical Masks are primarily meant for use of frontline health care workers.
Image is not part of above Office Memorandum
3. In the wake of the prevailing situation due to COVID-19, the Government is striving to ensure uninterrupted supply of N-95 Masks in adequate quantity primarily for the health care workers. For this, the Government is procuring largest chunk of the N-95 Masks directly from the manufacturers/importers/suppliers at bulk rates and ex-factory prices. However, it has been noticed that other procurers (non-government entities) are getting N-95 Masks at differential prices.
4. Thus, in order to ensure availability of N-95 Masks at affordable prices in the country, NPPA hereby directs manufacturers/importers/suppliers of the N-95 Masks to maintain parity in prices for non-government procurements and to make available the same at reasonable prices.
5. Any instance of hoarding, black-marketing and higher pricing of N-95 Masks reported will be viewed seriously and action shall be initiated by the Government under the Essential Commodities Act, 1955.
(Alok Ranjan)
Asst. Director (M&E)
E-mail: alok.ranian89@gov.in
011-23746793
To,
1. All the Manufacturers/Importers/Suppliers for necessary action
2. Medical Devices Industry Associations (AiMeD, MTal, CII, FICCI, PVVMAI) for wider dissemination among Member companies concerned.
Download Office Memorandum on Capping Price of N95 Mask Issued by NPPA
