Cancer Drug Prices Soar: Platinum Costs Threaten Lifesaving Chemo

The production of essential cancer medicines, including carboplatin, oxaliplatin, and cisplatin, is under threat in India due to a sharp increase in platinum prices. Platinum, a critical component in these drugs, has nearly doubled in cost over the past six months, making manufacturing commercially unviable at current regulated prices. Local drug manufacturers have thus petitioned the National Pharmaceutical Pricing Authority, seeking an approximate 50% increase in the maximum selling prices for these life-saving treatments.

Manufacturers highlight that the current ceiling price for carboplatin became commercially unviable as early as January. This situation creates a dangerous paradox: while platinum-based drugs are far more affordable than newer therapies like ADCs or immunotherapy, their low price point offers manufacturers little financial incentive for reliable production. This concern has been echoed by medical experts who emphasize that these platinum drugs are fundamental to treating numerous cancer types and are recognized as essential medicines globally.

Platinum-based drugs have been subject to government price controls since 2013. Industry insiders note that the price increase for carboplatin since 2015 has been a modest 21.71%. Despite the growing market for these drugs, valued at approximately ₹110 crore and growing at 14% annually, the rising input costs threaten their continued availability. A past recommendation from the Niti Aayog in 2019 had supported a one-time 50% price increase for essential medicines facing manufacturing viability issues, a precedent drug makers hope will be followed.