Healers or Predators: The (b)ills of healthcare

Name: Shalini Pahwa. Disease: multiple myeloma (blood cancer). Part of treatment: injection Novartis Zometa. Cost: Rs 15,200 per shot. Place of treatment: private hospital in Gurgaon.

While the cost of the injection is shocking, what is even more shocking is the fact that the same drug, under a different brand name, was available at a Delhi hospital for just Rs 800, says a new book, "Healers or Predators?"
Documenting the case of Pahwa, an article on "A Consumer's View" says, "According to an industry insider, Zometa is sold to stockists for Rs 13,000. At that rate, the hospital would make a profit of Rs 2,200. Shalini said 'she felt just fine shifting to the cheaper alternative'."