Difference between landed Costs and MRP of Stents Too High: Admits HM

New Delhi : Health Minister, Mr. J.P. Nadda told parliament today that a study conducted on the pricing of stents by the National Pharmaceutical Pricing Authority under the Department of Pharmaceuticals had observed that the difference between the landed cost and the MRP of stents imported was unreasonably high . He said that bulk of medical devices including stents consumed in the country were imported.

Mr. J.P. Nadda while discussing the issue said this medical device fell under the non-scheduled category of Drugs Price Control Order (DPCO), 2013 and as such, no ceiling price had been fixed for these devices. However, he said DPCO, 2013 provides for monitoring the prices of these devices and also ensures that no manufacturer/importer/distributor is allowed to increase the MRP by more than ten percent during the preceding twelve months. The price of stents (Cardiac and Drug eluting stents) have been notified as 'Drugs' under the Drugs and cosmetic Act 1940.

Mr. Nadda further added that since Health was a state subject, data regarding annual requirements of stents in the country was not complied centrally. He also highlighted that as per the direction of Hon’ble High Court of Delhi, a sub-committee has been constituted by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, seeking its views on the essential nature of coronary stents and their inclusion in the National List of Essential Medicines.