Coronary stents now included in NLEM 2022
The National Pharmaceutical Pricing Authority (NPPA) will now fix the price of coronary stents.;
New Delhi: In a move to ensure affordable medical devices in the country, the Union health ministry has announced the inclusion of coronary stents in the National List of Essential Medicines, 2022.
The move is based on the recommendations by an expert committee constituted to review the inclusion of stents in the list based on the requirement.
The National Pharmaceutical Pricing Authority (NPPA) will now fix the price of coronary stents. On November 6, the Standing National Committee on Medicines (SNCM) had submitted its recommendation for the inclusion of coronary stents in the National List of Essential Medicines (NLEM), 2022 in two categories — Bare Metal Stents (BMS) and Drug Eluting Stents (DES) which include metallic DES and bioresorbable vascular scaffold (VBS)/biodegradable stents.
According to minutes of the SNCM meeting, vice chairman Dr Y K Gupta stated that coronary stents were earlier included in NLEM, 2015, through a separate notification based on the recommendations of an expert committee.
"As far as medicines are concerned, SNCM has already submitted its report on NLEM, 2022, and the same has been adopted by the government," an official source said.
The SNCM had deliberated on the essentiality, categorisation, and other relevant aspects of coronary stents. It also stated that coronary artery diseases (CAD) are a public health issue that is associated with high morbidity and mortality. There is an enormous need for percutaneous coronary interventions requiring the implantation of coronary stents. Therefore, coronary stents should continue to be essential medical devices, committee members agreed.
Disclaimer: This website is primarily for healthcare professionals. The content here does not replace medical advice and should not be used as medical, diagnostic, endorsement, treatment, or prescription advice. Medical science evolves rapidly, and we strive to keep our information current. If you find any discrepancies, please contact us at corrections@medicaldialogues.in. Read our Correction Policy here. Nothing here should be used as a substitute for medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. We do not endorse any healthcare advice that contradicts a physician's guidance. Use of this site is subject to our Terms of Use, Privacy Policy, and Advertisement Policy. For more details, read our Full Disclaimer here.
NOTE: Join us in combating medical misinformation. If you encounter a questionable health, medical, or medical education claim, email us at factcheck@medicaldialogues.in for evaluation.