Hyderabad: The prices of stents in the country will not be revised before February 2018 according to the National Pharmaceutical and Pricing Authority, which wants all manufacturers to maintain supply at the prices that are currently applicable.
As per the National List of Essential Medicines, bare metal stents are priced at Rs 7,260, and drug-eluting stents are priced at Rs 29,600.
A drug controller, on condition of anonymity, says, “Manufacturers have asked for a revision of prices of advances stents, but that has been completely ruled out. The government is firm that it will not look into the price issue this year.”
Dr Upendra Kaul, a senior interventional cardiologist, says, “Companies which have got stocks in India are not being allowed to take them back. They have been asked to supply the stents at the price fixed by the government. Many of the suppliers are upset, but the country needs drug-eluting stents. They have to be available and supplied on time.”
In 2016, a total of 4,95,000 stent procedures were carried out in the country, of which 80 per cent involved drug-eluting stents. Multi-national companies meet 60 per cent of the demand, while Indian manufacturers supply the remaining 40 per cent.
A senior cardiologist explains, “In the years to come, the demand will increase by 10 to 15 percent. Stents are important for the non-surgical management of ischemic heart disease. If the government continues to impose the present price cap, then Indian manufacturers will have to rise to the occasion and establish the same safety and efficacy standards so that 80 per cent of the dependency can be on them.” At present, imported stents are preferred because cardiologists believe they are less likely to lead to complications.
“The same assurance has to come from Indian manufacturers. A bad treatment outcome tarnishes the image of the doctor and the confidence of the patient. The government must work towards ensuring that Indian-made stents are of the highest quality,” says another cardiologist.
