- The government capped trade margins on 137 anti-cancer drugs under the 'trade margin rationalisation' approach. - The move aims to make critical life-saving cancer medications more affordable for patients by curbing excessive markups across the supply chain. - Regulated by the National Pharmaceutical Pricing Authority (NPPA) under the Department of Pharmaceuticals. - Addresses catastrophic out-of-pocket health expenditure linked to non-communicable diseases like cancer in India. - **National Pharmaceutical Pricing Authority (NPPA):** An attached office of the Department of Pharmaceuticals, Ministry of Chemicals and Fertilizers, responsible for fixing and revising drug prices and implementing the Drugs (Prices Control) Order in India. - **Drug Prices Control Order (DPCO):** An order issued under the Essential Commodities Act, 1955, empowering the government to regulate and fix the prices of scheduled and non-scheduled pharmaceutical formulations in the public interest. - **Ministry of Chemicals and Fertilizers:** The Union ministry responsible for formulating policies, regulating prices, and ensuring the availability of fertilizers, chemicals, and pharmaceuticals across India. **Introduction** The Indian government has capped trade margins on 137 anti-cancer drugs to significantly reduce treatment costs and curb exorbitant mark-ups in the pharmaceutical supply chain. Implemented via the National Pharmaceutical Pricing Authority (NPPA), this step targets healthcare affordability and aims to ease out-of-pocket expenditure for cancer care. **Core Issue and Detailed Points** - The government capped trade margins on 137 anti-cancer drugs under the 'trade margin rationalisation' approach. - The move aims to make critical life-saving cancer medications more affordable for patients by curbing excessive markups across the supply chain. - Regulated by the National Pharmaceutical Pricing Authority (NPPA) under the Department of Pharmaceuticals. - Addresses catastrophic out-of-pocket health expenditure linked to non-communicable diseases like cancer in India. **Key Statutory Bodies, Acts & Concepts** - **National Pharmaceutical Pricing Authority (NPPA):** An attached office of the Department of Pharmaceuticals, Ministry of Chemicals and Fertilizers, responsible for fixing and revising drug prices and implementing the Drugs (Prices Control) Order in India. - **Drug Prices Control Order (DPCO):** An order issued under the Essential Commodities Act, 1955, empowering the government to regulate and fix the prices of scheduled and non-scheduled pharmaceutical formulations in the public interest. - **Ministry of Chemicals and Fertilizers:** The Union ministry responsible for formulating policies, regulating prices, and ensuring the availability of fertilizers, chemicals, and pharmaceuticals across India.