Health groups welcome slashing of prices of coronary stents

Health groups today welcomed the Centre's decision to reduce prices of coronary stents, saying it is an important first step in checking the corrupt practices of the industry and doctors.
"After months of consultations, we welcome the strong and determined action of the government, particularly in the face of a concerted campaign by industry and profit-oriented hospitals to prevent any form of effective price control.
"We are pleased that the National Pharmaceutical Pricing Authority (NPPA) took note of the extraordinary circumstances in respect of the unmet health need and the prevailing conditions of extreme overpricing of stents and exploitation of patients," said Malini Aisola of the All India Drug Action Network.

In a major relief to patients, the government has reduced prices of coronary stents by up to 85 per cent, capping them at Rs 7,260 for bare metal ones and Rs 29,600 for the drug eluting variety.
The groups noted that the order is an "important first step in checking the corrupt practices of the unethical triad of industry, doctors and hospitals that has become commonplace across the health sector".
"The most shocking revelations that came to light through the extensive deliberations of the NPPA, were about the massive cuts being taken by cardiologists and hospitals," said G S Grewal, Alliance of Doctors for Ethical Healthcare (ADEH).

ADEH said that the decade long price gouging on stents caused irreversible damage to patients and their families while ingraining corrupt practices at the heart of private healthcare in India.

"Through price fixing, the government has increased awareness but more work is needed to regulate hospital rates and practices," said Arun Mitra, also with ADEH.
The NPPA in a notification said in public interest, it has fixed the ceiling price of bare metal stents at Rs 7,260 and that of drug eluting stents and bioresorbable vascular scaffold (BVS)/biodegradable stents at Rs 29,600.
"This decision is a result of people-centered campaign which highlights the role the government should play in making essential medicines and medical devices accessible to all segments of the society.

"However, further policy measures are required to ensure that these benefits pass to the patients including controlling the cost of cardiac procedures, issuing standard treatment protocols for cardiac interventions and introducing a mechanism of medical audits," said Amulya Nidhi of Jan Swasthya Abhiyan.
A coronary stent is a tube-shaped device placed in the arteries that supply blood to the heart. It keeps the arteries open in the treatment of coronary heart diseases.