Do not adjust the price of medicines without the approval of the government

Nepal Health News, Kathmandu – Before changing the prices of medicines, the Department of Drug Administration (DDA) must now obtain mandatory approval from the government. Additionally, information regarding such price changes must also be published in the Nepal Gazette.

According to the order of the High Court, the department can no longer make independent decisions regarding the increase or decrease of medicine prices. The court has clearly directed the department not to make any kind of price changes under the pretext of price adjustment.

This order comes following the public release of the full text of the verdict related to a writ petition filed by the

Association of Pharmaceutical Producers on Falgun 13, 2081 B.S. (corresponding to late February 2025). The writ petition objected to the amendment made by the Department of Drug Administration on Shrawan 8, 2081 B.S., which fixed the prices of various doses of a medicine called Empagliflozin at Rs. 12, Rs. 20, and Rs. 30 respectively.

In that case, the joint bench of Justices Chandramani Gyawali and Dillirathna Shrestha delivered the verdict on Chaitra 27, 2081 B.S. (early April 2025). The court emphasized the need for transparency and adherence to legal procedures in sensitive matters such as the pricing of medicines.