2 hrs ago
Maharashtra FDA Finds Steep Mark-Ups on Hospital Devices
The Maharashtra FDA studied prices of medical supplies used in hospitals.
It found that some supplies cost much more for patients than they cost hospitals or sellers to buy.
For example, an IV set bought for about Rs 11 was sold for Rs 325.
A syringe bought for Rs 6.75 was sold for Rs 57.20.
Nebuliser masks and catheters also had very large price increases.
The FDA said these mark-ups may put an unfair financial burden on patients.
Commissioner Tukaram Mundhe called the pricing irrational and unjustified.
He asked the central government to set stronger price limits for these medical products.
A Maharashtra FDA survey found hospital devices being sold at prices far above procurement costs.
An IV set bought for Rs 11.05 carried an MRP of Rs 325, a 2,841 per cent margin.
A 10 ml syringe purchased for Rs 6.75 was sold for Rs 57.20.
The survey reported large mark-ups on nebuliser masks, oxygen masks, cannulas and catheters.
FDA Commissioner Tukaram Mundhe urged the Centre to place common inpatient consumables under DPCO price controls.
- Who
- The Maharashtra State Price Monitoring Resource Unit, operating under the Maharashtra Food and Drugs Administration, conducted the survey; Commissioner Tukaram Mundhe raised the issue.
- What
- A market survey found substantial mark-ups between procurement costs and selling prices for several hospital medical devices.
- Where
- The survey examined retail and trade markets in Maharashtra, including devices used in inpatient departments.
- When
- The articles do not specify when the survey was conducted.
- Why
- The FDA said stronger price controls may be needed to prevent unchecked trade-level profiteering and reduce patients’ financial burden.
Key facts
- Surveying body
- Maharashtra State Price Monitoring Resource Unit under the Maharashtra Food and Drugs Administration
- Highest reported mark-up
- Up to 29 times the procurement cost for some inpatient medical devices
- IV set example
- Purchase price Rs 11.05; MRP Rs 325; reported margin 2,841 per cent
- Syringe example
- Purchase price Rs 6.75; selling price Rs 57.20; reported mark-up around 747 per cent
- Nebuliser mask examples
- One mask was reported at Rs 40 and billed at Rs 715; an adult mask kit priced at Rs 45 was reportedly sold for Rs 652
- Catheter example
- A catheter costing Rs 29.41 was sold for more than 10 times its purchase price
- Requested policy change
- Bring commonly used inpatient surgical consumables under the Drugs (Prices Control) Order, 2013
Quotes
Tukaram Mundhe
Maharashtra FDA Commissioner
“This steep escalation is completely irrational and unjustified, as the initial procurement cost already fully covers the manufacturer's total expenses including production, product development, marketing, distribution, and profit margins.”
wionews.com
“Consequently, the lack of strict statutory price caps under DPCO 2013 allows unchecked trade-level profiteering, imposing an unnecessary, severe, and unjust financial burden on the public.”
wionews.com
Sources
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