AstraZeneca Pharma India Ltd has received a demand notice of ₹79.97 lakh from the National Pharmaceutical Pricing Authority (NPPA) over alleged overcharging of its hypertension drug Betaloc-50 (Metoprolol 50 mg tablets) under the Drugs (Prices Control) Order, 2013 (DPCO).
In a regulatory filing on Tuesday, the company said it received the notice on July 27, 2026, and is reviewing the demand before taking appropriate legal steps in accordance with applicable law.
According to the disclosure, the NPPA has alleged that AstraZeneca sold or marketed Betaloc-50 at a maximum retail price higher than the ceiling price notified under the DPCO, 2013, and failed to implement revised ceiling prices on stocks available in the market following notifications issued on March 2, 2016 and June 2, 2016.
The regulator has alleged that the pricing resulted in overcharging during the June–July 2016 period and has directed the company to deposit ₹79,97,457, including interest calculated up to August 10, 2026, within 30 days of receiving the notice.
“The Company is currently reviewing the demand notice and will take appropriate steps in accordance with applicable law,” the Company said in an exchange filing before the regulator.
