Hyderabad: The review meeting called by the National Pharmaceutical Pricing Authority for revision of stent prices is being looked upon critically by Indian manufacturers and cardiologists who say that this was being done due to pressure from USA-based manufacturers that want the prices to be revised.
Stent prices were slashed earlier this year, in February. Now, domestic manufacturers and importers have been asked to submit their suggestions by December 2017, ahead of the review meeting. Dr K.K. Aggarwal, a senior cardiologist, says, “The benefits of price control have reached the patients. We are wondering why a meeting is being called to review the prices again. Is it because of pressure from the US Government?”
Cardiologists say that American traders and manufacturers have constantly been pressurising the Indian Government to do away with the price cap ever since its implementation. They want to be able to supply high-end stents to India at their actual market prices. Indian manufacturers, however, are unhappy with the announcement.
