The Centre has asked the National Pharmaceutical Pricing Authority (NPPA) to examine large differences between procurement prices and printed MRPs of hospital consumables, following concerns raised by Maharashtra FDA Commissioner Tukaram Mundhe.
The issue came to light after a Maharashtra survey highlighted substantial price gaps in commonly used medical supplies. An IV infusion set reportedly purchased at ₹11.05 had a printed MRP of ₹325, while a syringe procured for ₹6.75 carried an MRP of ₹57.20. A catheter purchased at ₹29.41 was listed with an MRP of ₹310.
The Department of Pharmaceuticals is expected to review the NPPA’s analysis and consider possible measures to address the issue.
Mundhe has called for clearer guidelines on the permissible difference between trade procurement prices and declared MRPs of hospital consumables. He also highlighted that patients often have limited ability to compare prices or choose alternatives while receiving medical treatment.
The development could bring renewed attention to proposals for trade margin rationalisation, which have previously sought to regulate margins at different stages of the supply chain.
While scheduled medicines are subject to price ceilings under the Drugs (Prices Control) Order, 2013, many medical devices and hospital consumables remain outside the existing price-control framework.
The Association of Indian Medical Device Industry (AiMeD) has also supported regulatory action on excessive markups, with its forum coordinator Rajiv Nath calling for fair pricing and a level playing field for manufacturers.
Source: Economic Times
