Overcharging: Cipla fined Rs 748 cr

The National Pharmaceutical Pricing Authority has asked Cipla, the second biggest domestic drug maker, to pay Rs 748.27 crore (Rs 7.48 billion) as fine towards overcharging of controlled drugs.

The authority's recent notice comes in the backdrop of a Supreme Court directive, which, in response to a notice for motion raised by NPPA, allowed the government to go ahead with necessary action to recover the overcharged amount.

Cipla has claimed that the notices are contrary to the orders of the Supreme Court, and stated that the company has received legal advice that the notices of the government are not tenable and sustainable.