In the case of Hoechst's anti-tuberculosis brand, Rifater, prices have been increased marginally from Rs 29.48 per strip of 10 tablets to Rs 29.88 (retail price with excise duty). Rifater, along with Rifadin INH, is a Rs 12 crore brand.

However, the German multinational is expected to gain significantly from another order increasing the price of bulk analgin (metamizole) to Rs 378 per kg (exclusive of excise duty and local taxes). Price revisions on the bulk front usually translate into similar revisions on the formulation front, in this case Hoechst's analgesic brand Novalgin.

TopHMR officials told The Financial Express that the company had "not yet" received a price hike for its analgin formulation. "Hoechst doesn't produce the bulk, but we have yet to be granted the price hike for the formulation. Besides, price revisions have to take into account packing costs etc," the official said. Analysts said that with over 60 per cent of Hoechst's drugs covered by the Drugs Price Control Order (DPCO), 1995, any price hike would be a positive step.

In the case of Ranbaxy's anti-ulcer brand, Histac (effervescent tablets), the existing retail price of Rs 1.41 per pack of two has been increased to Rs 4 (retail price inclusive of excise duty). Each effervescent tablet contains ranitidine hydrochloride equivalent to 150 mg of ranitidine.

For Merind's parenteral therapy product, Decdan, both the injection and tablet versions have been allowed price increases of approximately 16.12 per cent and 11.14 per cent, respectively. The revised prices of Decdan injection (4mg, 2ml vial) will workout to around Rs 9.22 (with excise duty) while the tablet form will now cost roughly Rs 20 per 10 strips.