National Pharmaceutical Pricing Authority Adjusts Maximum Prices for Essential Medicines
國家藥品定價局調整必需藥品最高價格
Introduction
The National Pharmaceutical Pricing Authority (NPPA) has increased the maximum prices for several essential cancer medications, tetanus treatments, and vaccines for children.
國家藥品定價局 (NPPA) 已提高數款重要癌症藥物、破傷風治療藥物及兒童疫苗的最高價格。
Main Body
The NPPA used its legal powers under the 2013 Drugs (Prices Control) Order to allow a 50% price increase for two cancer drugs, Carboplatin and Cisplatin. This decision was caused by a significant rise in the cost of raw materials (APIs) between 2021 and 2026. Industry experts emphasized that these high costs made production difficult and led to medicine shortages. Consequently, the authority stated that without these drugs, patients would have to use more expensive alternatives.
NPPA 根據 2013 年《藥品 (價格控制) 令》的法定權限，允許兩種癌症藥物——卡鉑 (Carboplatin) 與順鉑 (Cisplatin) 價格調漲 50%。此決定是由於 2021 年至 2026 年間，原物料 (API) 成本大幅上升。業界專家強調，高昂的成本導致生產困難並造成藥物短缺。因此，該局表示，若缺乏這些藥物，患者將不得不使用更昂貴的替代方案。
At the same time, prices were adjusted for Anti-Tetanus Immunoglobulin injections, which are produced only by Bharat Serums & Vaccines Limited. This change followed a government directive in April 2026 to make pricing consistent with other vaccines. The manufacturer had previously argued that the cost of imported materials and changing currency values made the previous price limits unsustainable.
與此同時，針對僅由 Bharat Serums & Vaccines Limited 生產的破傷風抗血清 (Anti-Tetanus Immunoglobulin) 注射劑調整了價格。此次變動係遵循政府 2026 年 4 月的指令，旨在使定價與其他疫苗保持一致。製造商先前主張，進口材料成本及匯率變動，使得先前的價格上限無法維持。
Furthermore, the NPPA updated the prices for BCG, Measles-Rubella, and Measles vaccines made by the Serum Institute of India. The authority removed a previous 'monopoly reduction' and added a small adjustment based on the 2026 Wholesale Price Index. The Department of Pharmaceuticals asserted that because these biological vaccines are critical for public health and remain affordable for the public, standard price reductions were not appropriate.
此外，NPPA 更新了由印度血清研究所 (Serum Institute of India) 生產的 BCG、麻疹-風疹 (Measles-Rubella) 及麻疹疫苗的價格。該局取消了之前的「壟斷減價」，並根據 2026 年批發價格指數進行了小幅調整。藥品部門聲明，由於這些生物疫苗對公共衛生至關重要且對公眾而言仍可負擔，因此不適用於標準的價格調降。
Conclusion
These new prices will be reviewed after six months, and all companies must follow these rules according to the Essential Commodities Act of 1955.
這些新價格將在六個月後重新審視，所有公司必須根據 1955 年《必需商品法》遵守這些規定。
Vocabulary Learning
🚀 The 'B2 Leap': From Simple Links to Logical Flows
At the A2 level, you likely use words like and, but, and because to connect your thoughts. To reach B2, you need to move from "connecting words" to "logical connectors."
Look at how the article explains a problem and its result. Instead of saying "The costs were high and so there were no medicines," the text uses Consequently.
🧩 The Logic Shift
| A2 Style (Simple) | B2 Style (Sophisticated) | Why it's better |
|---|---|---|
| So... | Consequently, | Shows a direct professional result. |
| Also... | Furthermore, | Signals that you are adding a new, important point. |
| Because of this... | This decision was caused by... | Moves the focus to the reason using a formal structure. |
💡 Pro-Tip: The 'Cause & Effect' Chain
B2 fluency is about showing how one thing leads to another. Notice this sequence in the text:
Rise in raw material costs Production became difficult Medicine shortages Consequently Price increases.
When you write or speak, try replacing your next "so" with "Consequently" or "Therefore." It immediately changes the tone from a casual conversation to an academic or professional one.
🛠️ Vocabulary Upgrade: Precision
Stop using "big" or "bad." Use these specific B2-level terms found in the text:
- Significant (instead of big): "A significant rise in cost."
- Unsustainable (instead of too hard to keep): "The price limits were unsustainable."
- Critical (instead of very important): "These vaccines are critical for public health."