Haryana FDA raids hospitals to check stent prices

The Haryana Food and Drugs Administration (FDA) on Monday raided leading private hospitals at Panchkula, Sonipat and Gurugram where cardiac stent implants are carried out to ensure that no hospital violates the directions of the central government regarding price of stents.

"The prescribed prices of cardiac stents were checked by the teams at Medanta-The Medicity, Artemis Health Institute, Paras Hospital, Columbia Asia Hospital and Fortis Hospital (all in Gurugram), Alchemist Hospital in Panchkula and Tulip Hospital in Sonipat," Haryana Health Minister Anil Vij said here.

Raids were also conducted at four cath labs and 10 chemist shops in the state.

Vij said the Haryana government had issued directions that action would be initiated if any hospital charged more than the price prescribed by the central government.

He said the National Pharmaceutical Pricing Authority had slashed the prices of cardiac stent under the Drug Price Control Order on February 14.

"Earlier, stents were being sold at Rs 1 lakh or more per stent and now the prices have been reduced and it ranges from Rs 7,260-27,000. The health department has been ensuring that the patients get the stents at the reduced prices," Vij added.

--IANS

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