IV set bought for Rs 11, sold with Rs 325 MRP: Maharashtra FDA seeks price caps

The Maharashtra Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has asked the National Pharmaceutical Pricing Authority (NPPA) to regulate prices for commonly used hospital items and medical devices. A survey revealed large gaps between what hospitals pay for these items and the prices listed on their packaging. IV infusion sets cost Rs 11 to buy but have an MRP of Rs 325, a markup of 2,841 percent.

Other examples include syringes with a procurement price of Rs 6.75 and an MRP of Rs 57.20, and catheters priced at Rs 29.41 but with an MRP of Rs 310. The FDA's Commissioner, Tukaram Mundhe, highlighted the findings on X, noting that the biggest part of a hospital bill may not reflect the real cost of medical supplies. The FDA submitted the proposal to the NPPA, expressing concern over public health and awaiting their decision on price regulation.

Mundhe explained that most medical devices and consumables are outside the current price-control framework, unlike scheduled medicines. The survey, conducted in July at hospitals in the Mumbai Metropolitan Region, Pune, and Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar, found substantial margins, with some consumables showing margins of 200-300 percent.

The FDA proposed bringing these frequently used products under the price-control framework, currently only applicable to certain critical medical devices. However, the FDA clarified it does not control hospital bills or admission charges, only bringing the pricing issue to the NPPA's attention.