Life-saving drugs are set to get expensive from April 1 as input costs rise. Prices of more than 800 essential medicines are likely to go up by 10.8%. Earlier, a maximum 5% annual hike based on previous year’s WPI was allowed. Government caps prices of essential drugs to ensure affordability at reasonable rates. These drugs are used to treat fever, infections, anemia, hypertension and include commonly used medicines like paracetamol.