WASHINGTON, D.C. — India’s health ministry announced on Tuesday that, beginning next month, the price of 137 cancer medicines will be capped after the Supreme Court deemed excessive mark‑ups “extortion,” a ruling sparked by a 2022 lawsuit from a retired bank clerk who could not afford her treatment.

The court‑ordered ceiling will slash retail prices by an average of 30 % to 50 %, according to the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare. The move targets drugs that have surged in cost despite modest profit margins for manufacturers, with some hospitals reportedly marking up prices by as much as 300 % above the base cost.

“Patients should not have to choose between life‑saving therapy and selling their land,” said Dr. Anita Rao, a senior oncologist at Mumbai’s Tata Memorial Hospital. “When medicines become unaffordable, we see a rise in treatment abandonment, which directly translates into higher mortality.” The policy applies to both oral and injectable formulations, many of which are approved by India’s drug regulator, the CDSCO, but not yet cleared by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.

Clinical data underpinning the price‑cut decision include studies published in The Lancet Oncology and JCO that demonstrate comparable efficacy between the high‑priced brand versions and lower‑cost generics for cancers such as chronic myeloid leukemia and breast carcinoma. The government’s price‑control board will review the list annually, ensuring that any future price hikes are justified by new evidence of clinical benefit.

Patient advocacy groups estimate that up to 2 million Indians could avoid catastrophic health expenditure as a result of the caps. “For families living on less than $2 a day, even a modest reduction can be the difference between completing a treatment cycle or defaulting,” noted Sunita Patel, director of the Cancer Patients’ Alliance.

Key Takeaways

• 137 cancer drugs will see price reductions of 30‑50 % starting next month.
• The Supreme Court ruled that excessive mark‑ups constitute “extortion,” prompting regulatory action.
• Lower costs are expected to benefit an estimated 2 million patients at risk of financial ruin.

The policy marks a rare instance of judicial intervention shaping pharmaceutical pricing in a major emerging market, and it may set a precedent for other nations grappling with the affordability of life‑saving therapies.