New Delhi: The Union Government said the cardiac stent price remains regulated under the Drugs (Prices Control) Order, 2013, with fixed ceiling rates applicable across the country.
Minister of State for Chemicals and Fertilizers Smt. Anupriya Patel provided the details in a written reply in the Lok Sabha on February 13. She stated that the National Pharmaceutical Pricing Authority (NPPA) fixes ceiling prices for coronary stents, including Bare Metal Stents (BMS) and Drug Eluting Stents (DES), under Schedule-I of DPCO, 2013.
At present, the ceiling cardiac stent price for BMS stands at ₹10,692.69, while DES carries a ceiling of ₹38,933.14. All manufacturers, marketers and importers must sell stents within these limits, plus applicable Goods and Services Tax.
In addition, NPPA issued a notification on February 12, 2018. The order mandates that hospitals, nursing homes and clinics performing angioplasty must comply with the notified ceiling rates when billing patients directly. Institutions must also separately mention the stent cost, category, brand name, manufacturer or importer, batch number and specifications in bills and estimates.
Regulation and enforcement of cardiac stent price
The Minister noted that health is a State subject under the Constitution. Therefore, State Governments and Union Territories must act against cases where private hospitals charge excessive amounts.
However, the Centre enacted the Clinical Establishments (Registration and Regulation) Act, 2010 and framed the Clinical Establishments (Central Government) Rules, 2012. States and Union Territories that have adopted the Act regulate government and private clinical establishments under its provisions.
Under the law, clinical establishments must meet minimum standards of facilities and services. They must also display rates charged in a conspicuous place. The Act empowers District-level registering authorities, chaired by the District Collector or District Magistrate, to impose penalties for violations.
Through these measures, the government seeks to ensure that the cardiac stent price remains transparent and affordable for patients nationwide.
