Hyderabad: The actual reduction in the price of knee implants is only by Rs 10,000, noted senior orthopaedic surgeons in the city. They were reacting to the decision of the government to cut rates of knee implants.
The prices have been slashed to Rs 54,720 on the MRP of Rs 1.58 lakh for standardised implants. For special metals like titanium and oxidized zirconium, the prices have been brought down to Rs 80,000 on the MRP of Rs 2.49 lakh.
Dr Ramana Reddy, a senior orthopaedic surgeon, said, “The MRP on the implant was not the price at which the patient was charged. The standard model, which is opted by 90 per cent of patients, is pegged at Rs 67,000. The MRP is high and the industry is not supplying equipment at this cost. Thus, the actual benefit to the patient is only Rs 10,000.”
Medical experts stated that knee implant surgery has also other costs such as prices of medicines, charges of surgeons and room rates.
Dr A.V. Gurava Reddy, another senior orthopaedic surgeon, said, “The decision by the government will help those who are opting for the standardised implants. What about those persons who require specific implants based on their age, bone structure and ethnicity? The standardised implants do not suit all people.”
Senior executives in the medical equipment industry said that the decision of the government may help in popularising the implant surgery. A senior manager noted, “A fixed cost has its own benefits for the patient and the industry. But the industry has no hold over the cost of the procedure and it varies from hospital to hospital.”
Dr K.J. Reddy, an orthopaedic surgeon at Apollo Hospitals, said, “This decision is in the interest of the patient and it must be implemented properly. There are 200 different types of implants in the market. Some of them are specific in nature. The decision must not hinder companies from cater to these patients.”
Though the government slashed the prices, there is no mention about the procedure costs, fees of surgeons and other costs which are part of the entire package. So, the question of real benefit to the people remains a major concern.
