The 39 packs have become costlier by 0.04 per cent and 50.6 per cent, stated a news release issued by the union ministry of chemicals and fertilisers here on Wednesday.

The prices of 24 formulation packs have been revised downwards. The price reduction ranges between 0.07 per cent and 81.67 per cent. These revisions have been made on the established criteria/guidelines and the recent changes in statutory duties, import price, exchange rate, the release stated.

Of the 71 formulation packs, prices of six packs have been fixed for the first time. In the case of another two, there has been no price change.

Ceiling prices have been fixed in respect of 16 packs, while non-ceiling prices have been fixed in respect of the remaining packs. These new prices will be effective within 15 days from the official gazette notification date, the release added.

In this latest price revision, as many as 30 corporate houses have been involved. In the case of two new formulation packs from Cadila Healthcare and Cadila Pharma, the prices have been fixed for Famonite AC Tab and Mycocox Z Tab.

In the case of imported drugs from Hoechst Marion Roussel and Novo Nordisk Pharma, some 19 formulation-pack prices have been revised, in most cases upwards.

Other corporate houses that are involved in the price revision include Lupin Laboratories, Nucron Pharma, Sarabhai Chemicals, Tata Pharma, IPCA Labs, E Merck (India), American Remedies and Fourts India.