Archive · 16 Sep 2026
Maharashtra FDA Flags Huge Markups on Hospital Consumables
A Maharashtra government agency studied supplies used in hospitals.
It found that some products had printed prices much higher than the prices hospitals paid.
For example, an IV set bought for about Rs 11 had a printed price of Rs 325.
A syringe and a catheter also had much higher printed prices than their purchase costs.
Patients often cannot compare prices or choose another product while receiving treatment.
Tukaram Mundhe said this lack of information can make it difficult for patients to know whether charges are fair.
He asked national pricing authorities to review the findings and consider new rules.
A hospital representative said any regulation should also allow hospitals to pay for staff, equipment and patient safety.
A Maharashtra FDA survey found large gaps between hospital consumable procurement prices and printed MRPs.
An IV infusion set bought for Rs 11.05 carried an MRP of Rs 325, a reported 2,841.17% margin.
A syringe costing Rs 6.75 had an MRP of Rs 57.20, while a catheter bought for Rs 29.41 was priced at Rs 310.
The survey covered inpatient-care products including IV sets, syringes, nebulisers, oxygen masks and other consumables.
Tukaram Mundhe asked national authorities to review the findings and consider margin guidelines, monitoring or price caps.
- Who
- Maharashtra FDA Commissioner Tukaram Mundhe, the Department of Pharmaceuticals, the National Pharmaceutical Pricing Authority and hospital-sector representatives.
- What
- A survey reported substantial differences between procurement prices and MRPs for hospital consumables, including a reported 2,841.17% margin on one IV set.
- When
- The findings and proposals were reported on September 15-16, 2026.
- Where
- Maharashtra, India, involving consumables used in inpatient care.
- Why
- Mundhe sought greater pricing transparency and possible regulation because patients often cannot compare prices or question charges during treatment.
Stronger Price Oversight
Transparency With Hospital Sustainability
Medical-device pricing
Stronger Price Oversight
Tukaram Mundhe called for clear limits on differences between procurement prices and declared MRPs, along with rationalised margins and possible price caps for essential devices.
Transparency With Hospital Sustainability
Dr Aashish Chaudhry said regulation should improve transparency and accountability while allowing hospitals to remain financially sustainable.
Patient protection and hospital costs
Stronger Price Oversight
Mundhe said patients often have little information, cannot compare alternatives and may be unable to question prices during hospitalisation.
Transparency With Hospital Sustainability
The hospital-sector view emphasised the need to continue investing in infrastructure, technology and patient safety alongside any new regulation.
- Highest reported margin
- 2,841.17% on an IV infusion set
- IV infusion set
- Procurement price Rs 11.05; MRP Rs 325
- Syringe
- Procurement price Rs 6.75; MRP Rs 57.20
- Catheter
- Procurement price Rs 29.41; MRP Rs 310
- Survey coverage
- IV sets, syringes and needles, nebulisers and oxygen masks, and miscellaneous consumables
- Proposed measures
- Review of the findings, permissible price-difference guidelines, margin rationalisation, monitoring and possible caps
- Existing rules
- The Drugs (Prices Control) Order, 2013, controls scheduled formulations and specified medical devices; Paragraph 20 limits non-scheduled MRP increases to 10% over 12 months
Sources
Product Of Rs 11, Billed At Rs 325: Tukaram Mundhe Flags Huge Pricing Gap In Hospitals
Maharashtra FDA Chief Tukaram flags huge markup on hospital medical products, IV set MRP at Rs 325 against Rs 11 trade price