AstraZeneca Pharma India Limited has received a demand notice from the National Pharmaceutical Pricing Authority (NPPA) for an amount of ₹79,97,457, inclusive of interest calculated up to August 10, 2026. The regulator alleges that the company sold Betaloc-50 (Metoprolol 50 mg tablets) at a maximum retail price (MRP) higher than the ceiling price notified under the Drugs (Prices Control) Order, 2013 (DPCO, 2013). The notice demands recovery of the overcharged amount within 30 days from the date of receipt.

The disclosure was made pursuant to Regulation 30 of the SEBI (Listing Obligations and Disclosure Requirements) Regulations, 2015, and SEBI Circular HO/49/14/14(7)2025-CFD-POD2/I/3762/2026 dated January 30, 2026. The company received the direction on July 27, 2026, and filed the compliance with the Bombay Stock Exchange and National Stock Exchange on July 28, 2026. Tanya Sanish, Company Secretary & Compliance Officer, signed the filing.

Allegations and Regulatory Context

The NPPA alleges that AstraZeneca Pharma India Ltd. did not implement the revised ceiling prices on stocks available in the market following two specific notifications: Notification S.O. 644(E) dated March 2, 2016, and Notification S.O. 1352(E) dated June 2, 2016. According to the authority, this failure resulted in overcharging during the period of June to July 2016. The demand includes the principal overcharged amount along with applicable interest.

Company Response

The company stated that it is currently reviewing the demand notice and will take appropriate steps in accordance with applicable law. No further details regarding the financial impact or legal strategy were disclosed in the filing. The matter relates to pricing compliance under DPCO, 2013, which mandates ceiling prices for scheduled drugs to ensure affordability.

AstraZeneca Pharma India Limited has detailed the tax deduction at source (TDS) rates applicable to the final dividend of ₹36 per share for the financial year 2025-26. The company has fixed July 31, 2026, as the record date to determine shareholder eligibility, with the dividend payout subject to approval at the 47th Annual General Meeting scheduled for August 10, 2026. Shareholders must submit necessary documentation by July 31, 2026, 17:00 hrs IST, to ensure the correct tax rate is applied; failure to do so will result in tax deduction at the maximum applicable rate.

For resident shareholders, tax will not be deducted if the total dividend amount for FY27 does not exceed ₹10,000. Where applicable, the TDS rate is 10% for shareholders with a valid PAN, while those without or with an invalid PAN will face a 20% deduction. Shareholders may submit Form 121 (erstwhile forms 15G and 15H) or a lower withholding certificate to claim a nil rate, provided specific conditions are met.

Non-resident shareholders are subject to a 20% tax rate plus surcharge and cess, unless they opt for the more beneficial Double Tax Avoidance Treaty (DTAA) rates. To avail treaty benefits, non-residents, including Foreign Institutional Investors (FIIs) and Foreign Portfolio Investors (FPIs), must furnish documents such as a Tax Residency Certificate (TRC) valid in August 2026, a self-declaration in online Form 41, and proof of no Permanent Establishment in India.

TDS Rates for Resident Shareholders

TDS Rates for Non-Resident Shareholders

The company emphasized that residential status will be determined based on records with the Depository Participants or the company as of the record date. Shareholders with multiple accounts under different statuses but a single PAN should note that the highest applicable tax rate will be levied on their entire holding. Forms and declarations must be uploaded via the Registrar and Transfer Agent’s weblink by the specified deadline.