Drug price regulator NPPA has approved hike in prices of cardiac stents by 4.2 per cent in-line with the wholesale price index (WPI) of the previous calendar year, as per an official statement.1
Background
After a notification issued by National Pharmaceutical Pricing Authority, Department of Pharmaceuticals, Ministry of Chemical and Fertilizers, regarding the fixation of ceiling price of the Coronary Stents and after considering the hike in WPI at 4.26 per cent for the year 2018 over 2017, it has been decided to revise the ceiling prices of coronary stents with effect from April 1, 2019.
As per the new prices notified by the National Pharmaceutical Pricing Authority (NPPA), a bare metal stent (BMS) would now cost Rs 8,261, while the drug eluting stent (DES) will cost Rs 30,080.
The drug pricing authority had earlier revised the prices of stents in February last year. It had increased the prices of bare metal stents from Rs 7,400 to Rs 7,660. On the other hand, it had reduced the price of DES to Rs 27,890 from Rs 30,180. Providing a major relief to lakhs of cardiac patients, the government had for the first time cut prices of life-saving coronary stents by up to 85 per cent in February 2017. Prior to February 2017, BMS used to cost as much as Rs 45,000 and DES Rs 1.21 lakh.
Notes
- All the existing manufacturers/importers of Coronary Stents having MRP lower than the ceiling price (plus Goods and Services Taxes as applicable, if any), may revise the existing MRP of Coronary Stent, on the basis of WPI @ 1.88468% for the year 2019 in accordance with Paragraph 16(2) of DPCO, 2013, read with Para 13(2) of DPCO, 2013.
- The manufacturers/importers of Coronary Stents may add Goods and Services Taxes only if they have paid it actually or if it is payable to the Government on the ceiling price.
- As per Para 24(4) of DPCO 2013, every retailer and dealer shall display price list and the supplementary price list, if any, as furnished by the manufacturer/importers, at a conspicuous part of the premises where he carries on business in a manner so as to be easily accessible to any person wishing to consult the same.
- The manufacturers not complying with the ceiling price and notes specified herein above shall be liable to deposit the overcharged amount along with interest thereon under the provisions of the Drugs (Prices Control) Order, 2013 read with Essential Commodities Act, 1955.
Conclusion
Coronary stent is a tube-shaped device placed in the arteries that supplies blood to heart. It keeps the arteries open in the treatment of coronary heart diseases. Moreover, after intensive deliberations and after considering the available information and the market statistics at its disposal NPPA took the unanimous decision that cardiac stents being an essential drug under Schedule I of DPCO (drug price control orders) 2013 and part of NLEM (national list of essential medicines) 2015 having paramount importance on public health needs to continue to be kept under price regulation in the larger public interest.
Footnote
1. http://www.nppaindia.nic.in/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/5-1.pdf
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