Home / Health / Hospitals Mark Up Meds 2800%!
Hospitals Mark Up Meds 2800%!
17 Sep
Summary
- Hospital products can have markups of over 2800% on trade prices.
- Patients pay for high-cost medical items without knowing actual costs.
- Price controls exist for medicines but not most medical consumables.
Maharashtra's Food and Drug Administration (FDA) chief, Tukaram Mundhe, has highlighted substantial markups on hospital products and medicines. Patients may be unknowingly paying thousands of percent above the trade price for items used in their treatment, creating a significant public health concern due to a lack of price transparency.
A survey in Maharashtra revealed an IV infusion set with a trade price of Rs 11.05 had an MRP of Rs 325, a markup of 2,841%. Similarly, a syringe procured at Rs 6.75 was priced at Rs 57.20. These markups occur because pricing is often determined upstream by manufacturers and distributors.
Mundhe noted a regulatory gap: while scheduled medicines have price ceilings, most medical devices and consumables do not. This leaves their pricing and patient information largely unmonitored. The FDA's findings have been forwarded for review with recommendations for guidelines on permissible trade price to MRP differences.
The FDA, under Mundhe, is also conducting a broad food safety crackdown across Maharashtra. This strict enforcement has led to raids, notices, and closures of various establishments for violations, receiving widespread commendation.
