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Vitamin C tablets scarce, costlier
ALREADY in short supply, vitamin C has become costlier. The National Pharmaceutical Pricing Authority increased the price of seven essential drugs on November 25. The authority controls the price of 74 drugs classified essential.
The pharmaceutical industry had approached the pricing authority to revise the prices of some essential drugs since profit margins for the se drugs are low. The price of one kilogramme of plain vitamin C has increased from Rs 366 to Rs 544. The price of coated vitamin C has increased from Rs 353 to Rs 533 and that of sodium ascorbate, a non-acidic form of vitamin C, from Rs 381 to Rs 575. The authority also raised the price of malaria drug chloroquine phosphate and painkillers Ibuprofen and analgin. The price of malaria drug chloroquine sulphate was reduced.
Industry wanted a twofold rise in prices.