Cipla, Alkem Labs hit 52-week highs after drug pricing regulator fixes rates of 44 formulations

Pharma companies such as Cipla, IPCA Laboratories, Mankind Pharma, Cadila Pharmaceuticals, Alkem Laboratories, Sanofi India and Abbott India, took centre stage on Dalal Street on Wednesday after drug pricing regulator National Pharmaceutical Pricing Authority (NPPA) fixed the retail prices of 44 new drug formulations.

At its 115th meeting, the pharma pricing regulator also notified the changes in bulk drugs and formulations, monitored the prices of non-scheduled drugs and formulations, and oversaw the implementation of the provisions of the Drugs (Price Control) Order (DPCO).

NPPA fixed the maximum prices for a host of drugs used in treating issues such as fever, pain, infection, sugar and heart disease.

Analysts say the development may hurt the pharma companies that manufacture these medicines, especially on a large scale.

ZeeBiz takes you through some of the biggest moves in pharma stocks after the news.

Cipla

The shares of Cipla seem to feel no heat from the NPPA's directives, as they hit a 52-week high of Rs 1,271.90 on Wednesday morning.

The share lost gains and is trading 0.76 per cent down at Rs 1,257. Recently, Blackstone has shown interest in acquiring Cipla's 33.47 per cent stake.

Alkem Laboratories

Alkem Laboratories also hit a 52-week high on Wednesday as its share price jumped to Rs 4,204 in early trading hours.

The share is still faring well and is 1.47 per cent up at Rs 4,198.55.

The company's share price in the last one month has soared 20.56 per cent as against a 0.68 per cent jump in Nifty 50.

Mankind Pharma

The large-cap pharma company's shares are trading 0.59 per cent higher at Rs 1,790.40.

Mankind Pharma is also high on its Q1 results it reported last week, registering a 66 per cent jump in profit after tax (PAT) courtesy strong sales.

The company's shares have lost 2.27 per cent of their value in the last five trading sessions, as against Nifty 50's 0.19 per cent decline in the same period.

IPCA Laboratories

The IPCA stock rose more than one per cent to Rs. 919.55 apiece.

The company's shares in the last one month have gone up 21.71 per cent.

The pharma company last week acquired 33.38 per cent equity in Unichem Laboratories for Rs 945 crore.

Cadila Pharmaceuticals (Zydus Lifesciences)

Shares of Zydus Lifesciences are also up 0.59 per cent to Rs 659.15 on Wednesday.

The share price, which hit its 52-week high on Monday, has gained 13.41 per cent in the last month.

Zydus Lifesciences last month got the go-ahead from the USFDA to manufacture and market its arthritis drug.