1 hr ago
Maharashtra Orders Probe Into 2,800% Medical Device Margins
Maharashtra officials found that some hospital devices may be sold for much more than they cost to buy.
One IV set reportedly cost about Rs 11 but had a printed price of Rs 325.
A syringe and a nebuliser mask kit were also sold at much higher prices than their purchase costs.
The state says some mark-ups reached nearly 2,800%.
Revenue Minister Chandrashekhar Bawankule called the situation a serious mistake and ordered an investigation.
He said he would raise the issue with the state Cabinet and the central government.
FDA Commissioner Tukaram Mundhe said such pricing was unfair and needed more transparency.
He asked the national pricing authority to examine the issue.
Maharashtra Revenue Minister Chandrashekhar Bawankule called medical-device margins of up to 2,800% a “blunder” and promised a high-level probe.
A Maharashtra State Price Monitoring Resource Unit survey found mark-ups of up to 29 times procurement costs for several inpatient medical devices.
A Medifusion IV set reportedly cost Rs 11.05 to procure but carried an MRP of Rs 325, a 2,841% margin.
The survey also cited a syringe sold for Rs 57.20 after a Rs 6.75 purchase price and a nebuliser mask kit sold for Rs 652 after costing Rs 45.
FDA Commissioner Tukaram Mundhe asked the National Pharmaceutical Pricing Authority to review pricing and called for greater transparency.
- Who
- Maharashtra Revenue Minister Chandrashekhar Bawankule, FDA Commissioner Tukaram Mundhe, and the Maharashtra State Price Monitoring Resource Unit are involved.
- What
- The Maharashtra government promised a high-level investigation into large mark-ups on medical devices sold to patients.
- Where
- Maharashtra, India, involving devices sold in retail and trade markets and used in inpatient departments.
- When
- The minister made the commitment after NDTV reported the survey findings; the articles do not provide an exact date.
- Why
- Officials said the differences between procurement costs and patient prices were irrational, unjustified, and lacked transparency.
Key facts
- Maximum reported margin
- Up to 2,841% for a Medifusion IV set
- Medifusion IV set
- Purchase price: Rs 11.05; MRP: Rs 325
- Lifelong Meditech syringe
- Purchase price: Rs 6.75; reported sale price: Rs 57.20
- Vinjoh Healthcare mask kit
- Reported price: Rs 45; patient price: Rs 652
- Survey body
- Maharashtra State Price Monitoring Resource Unit under the state Food and Drugs Administration
- Requested intervention
- Tukaram Mundhe asked the National Pharmaceutical Pricing Authority to review pricing
- Government response
- Minister Chandrashekhar Bawankule promised a major investigation and Cabinet-level discussion
Quotes
Chandrashekhar Bawankule
Maharashtra Revenue Minister
“A trade margin of 2800 per cent is by any terms not acceptable, either as a consumer or as a hospital or as a regulator”
NDTV
“This is not just negligence. This is a blunder. We will take NDTV campaign forward and initiate a major investigation.”
NDTV
Sources
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