New Delhi/ Ahmadabad: Gujarat’s Department of Health and Family welfare beat a hasty retreat on its biased order against domestic stent makers, thanks to immediate intervention of former Union Health Minister Mansukh Mandaviya and Gujarat’s Health Minister Rushikesh Ganeshbhai Patel. AiMeD ( Association of Indian Medical Device Industry) has applauded their intervention and Gujarat government’s Decision for Revocation of Dual Pricing Order on Stents
Elated on the major victory for Make in India slogan of PM Modi, Rajiv Nath, Forum Coordinator, AiMeD. Said, ‘ We are very thankful to Govt of Gujarat and Health Minister Shri Rushikesh Ganeshbhai Patel ji for promptly acting on our request to him and Shri Mansukhbhai Mandaviya ji and assuring us that they are repealing the discriminatory differential pricing order of Cardiac Stents by Department of Health and Family Welfare, Government of Gujarat. This is a major step towards supporting Make In India efforts and instilling confidence in domestic industry that commands over 70% of Indian Stent market and more so for the many Gujarat based Manufacturers like Meril , SMT , AMS , SLTL etc. that has not only championed an Atma Nirbhar Bharat vision of the Honourable Prime Minister but proudly exported Brand India to over 100 Countries and employ thousands of Indians “
“A Differential Pricing Policy between the USFDA and Indian Drug Regulators CDSCO India was going to set a bad precedent not only detrimental to strategically importing domestic manufacturing interests but possibly dangerous for Patient Safety. Indian Stents are clinically validated and used in 100+ Countries including those with stringent regulations. Products no longer sold in the USA and other developed countries, were allowed to be implanted in Indian patients under the guise of premium imports and a false narrative on the quality and doubts on efficacy of Indian Stents without backing of Clinical Studies by some Doctors lobbying on behalf of these US MNCs via a lucrative kickback incentive system that needs to be investigated. This assurance given to us for revocation is a welcome relief”Said Mr Gaurav Aggarwal , Jt. Coordinator, AiMeD & Mg Director, INvolution .
The issue was related to a Notification by Gujarat Government that had recently introduced different prices for Stents to be used to treat patients under the flagship Ayushman Bharat Health insurance Scheme. According to a report by Indian Express, an order has revealed that Stents approved by the United States Food and Drug Administration (will be priced Rs 25,000 per Stent, and those cleared by the Indian Drug Regulator costing less than half or Rs 12,000 per Stent.
Currently, all Drug-Eluting Stents (DES), used to treat blocked heart arteries, are priced at Rs 35,000. The Indian Express report had revealed that Indian Medical Manufacturers had raised concerns over the new pricing policy, calling it “discriminatory” and urging the Government to “ensure fair competition” in the market.Stent implants under the Ayushman Bharat Scheme in Gujarat accounted for an expenditure of Rs 429 crore since the scheme’s rollout in 2018, Indian Express reported.
“Actually, this is the second instance in recent history of cardiac care in Gujarat that unveils a rigged system that benefits vested interests by unethical marketing at the cost of Indian lives. India got Price Caps in Stents to safeguard patient interests in private healthcare and having lost market share in that market the US MNCs were trying to regain market share in Public Healthcare by nefarious means. We are obliged that media reporters supporting the letters written to Gujarat Health Minister Shri Rushikesh Ganeshbhai Patel, Gujarat Chief Minister Shri Bhupendrabhai Rajnikant Patel & Union Govt Minister of Health & Family Welfare Shri Nadda ji by AiMeD resulted in a quick rethinking and decision to revoke this order “ said Dr Ravi Rathod, General Manager of Innvolution and Jt. Coordinator,(Govt. Affairs) AiMeD.
“ As a Patient Safety organisation, we were not in favour of the Government of Gujarat’s move that encouraged older generation USFDA Stents at higher prices, while ridiculing domestic companies to a lower cost but we are glad with their quick response to correct it.
Today with Make in India Policy, no Government, be it State or Central, should opt for discriminatory pricing based on country of origin. A patient needs choice based on credible information and fair business practices to encourage ethical domestic competition – we have seen the negative fallout of J&J Implants that were USFDA approved. USFDA approval does not mean that a product or a supplier will be infallible. This discrimination by Government of Gujarat was a major jolt to PM’s vision of ‘Atmanirbhar Bharat’, which would have hampered accessibility, affordability and choice to the patients and would also retard the growth of our home grown Manufacturers, who now innovate and produce high-quality Medical Products in the interest of patients. It is imperative that in future a fair pricing model reflect the product’s actual quality and technological advancements, rather than relying on outdated US products dumped in India and used on patients without their knowledge and empowerment.
It’s time for transparency, fairness, and real commitment to patient care—not country biased policies, influenced by professional overseas intermediaries.” Stated Professor Bejon Misra , Consumer Activist.
