Stent price Cap: Stents Withdrawal, Artificial Shortage, delayed angioplasties

The recent decision of the NPPA defining price ceiling on BMS and DES/BVS stents as Rs 7,260 and Rs 29600, respectively has immediately fallen into a series of controversies, with the consumers and the industry reacting in extreme opposite directions

Read also:Stent Prices Capped at Rs 29,600, profits slashed

Patients Welcome, Industry Oppose

The NPPA's decision has indeed receive mixed reactions. Naturally, patients and end consumers of the stents were seen welcoming the move. “We are pleased that the NPPA took note of the extraordinary circumstances in respect of the unmet health need and the prevailing conditions of extreme overpricing of stents and exploitation of patients. We strongly support the use of Paragraph 19 of the DPCO to set right the balance in favour of the public interest,” Malini Aisola of the All India Drug Action network told  Express .

Having said that, the decision seems to have not gone well with the industry. "The medical technology industry is disappointed with this outcome. The industry was expecting a reasonable price along with rational differentiation in drug eluting stents, to recognize innovation," said Himanshu Baid, CII Medical Technology Division Chairman speaking to UNI.

Since the order has to be followed with immediate effect, the industry has raised apprehensions that the stent industry would face a stifle challenge in the days to come.The stent makers have noted some of the challenges it would face in near future include recalling and re-labelling the stents which are already sold, could pose health risk as sterility needs to be maintained while packaging.The industry also urged NPPA to immediately amend the order with a rationale transition timeline.