Charges of price collusion pertaining to Novartis’ Galvus are the latest in a string of allegations that have rocked the pharmaceutical industry in India over the recent past, though the company claims it has not flouted the law. Industry is also under fire for ‘suspected’ deviations from mandated price caps for over 600 medicines – a charge seen widening the trust deficit.
Novartis AG finds itself in a spot in India after a whistle-blower alleged that the Swiss multinational and its licensees for Galvus (vildagliptin) have colluded to set prices of the product in the country.
The whistle-blower, who sent a letter to India’s National Pharmaceutical Pricing Authority (NPPA), has claimed that while the business agreement...