Maharashtra FDA Flags Huge Price Gaps in Medical Devices, Seeks Centre’s Intervention

The Maharashtra Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has flagged wide disparities between procurement costs and maximum retail prices (MRPs) of several medical devices used in hospitals and sought Central intervention to examine the issue.

A market survey conducted by the Maharashtra State Price Monitoring Resource Unit under the FDA covered intravenous (IV) sets, syringes, nebulisers, oxygen masks and other medical consumables available in trade and retail markets.

The survey report submitted to the Department of Pharmaceuticals (DoP) found substantial differences between purchase prices and declared MRPs for several products.

According to the report, an IV set purchased for Rs 11.05 carried an MRP of Rs 325, while an infusion set bought for Rs 11 had an MRP of Rs 201. Similarly, a 10-ml syringe purchased for Rs 6.75 was sold with an MRP of Rs 57.20, while a hypodermic needle bought for Rs 1 had an MRP of Rs 3.30.

The survey also found significant disparities in nebuliser products. A Nebplus product purchased for Rs 40 had a declared MRP of Rs 715, while an adult nebuliser mask kit bought for Rs 45 carried an MRP of Rs 652.

The FDA said the findings underscored the need for greater transparency in the pricing of essential medical devices, particularly those used during inpatient treatment.It noted that hospitalised patients often have limited scope to compare prices or negotiate costs when medical devices are required as part of ongoing treatment. The report also highlighted regulatory gaps that could contribute to higher out-of-pocket healthcare expenditure.

The FDA has asked the DoP to examine the findings in consultation with the National Pharmaceutical Pricing Authority (NPPA) and other stakeholders. It suggested regulating trade margins, strengthening price monitoring and establishing guidelines on permissible differences between procurement prices and declared MRPs.

FDA Commissioner Tukaram Mundhe said healthcare cannot be treated as a conventional marketplace and called for greater transparency, accountability and appropriate price oversight for essential medical devices.