# Maharashtra FDA chief seeks pricing rules for medical consumables 2026-09-18T12:47:51+00:00 | Governance | Indian Opinion Desk Corroboration: 3 independent outlets Maharashtra FDA commissioner Tukaram Munde has written to the central government seeking national guidelines to cap the gap between procurement prices and printed MRPs of medical consumables. A state survey found mark-ups as high as 2,841%, including an IV infusion set bought for Rs 11.05 carrying an MRP of Rs 325. Munde called the price difference a major public health concern, noting patients cannot evaluate whether printed prices reflect actual costs. The medical device industry has backed the move. The Association of Indian Medical Device Industry (AiMeD) said the current regulatory framework under the Drugs (Prices Control) Order, 2013 is inadequate for devices. The Medical Technology Association of India also supported trade margin rationalisation. The Centre has begun consultations with private hospitals. Hospital representatives argued that MRPs do not directly translate into hospital profits and that additional costs cover infection control, nursing care and storage. Munde said the consultation is a positive step but must produce concrete outcomes. The Department of Pharmaceuticals convened an urgent meeting with major private hospital operators. Similar inputs have been sent by FDA commissioners of Punjab, Rajasthan and Tamil Nadu. The proposed guidelines would address excessive price differences and the lack of information available to patients. ## Indian Opinion Analysis National Herald and Livemint both report the survey findings and Munde's push, while ET Healthworld focuses on industry support. Livemint adds the hospital lobby's pushback, quoting providers who argue MRPs do not equal profits and that package rates under insurance already constrain pricing. The coverage shows consensus on the mark-up figures but a split on who bears responsibility: Munde and industry groups point to manufacturers and distributors, while hospitals say the full treatment cost must be considered. The DoP consultation outcome, expected to produce a policy intervention, will determine whether margins or billing structures face tighter rules. The coverage shows consensus on the mark-up figures but a split on who bears responsibility: Munde and industry groups point to manufacturers and distributors, while hospitals say the full treatment cost must be considered. The DoP consultation outcome, expected to produce a policy intervention, will determine whether margins or billing structures face tighter rules. ## Coverage - nationalheraldindia.com (neutral report) Leads with Munde's letter and survey data, no editorialising - health.economictimes.indiatimes.com (neutral report) Leads with industry backing, quotes associations but no counterview - livemint.com (neutral report) Leads with Centre's consultation, includes hospital pushback and Munde's quote Tags: Maharashtra FDA, medical devices, National Pharmaceutical Pricing Authority, Tukaram Munde Canonical: https://indianopinion.org/maharashtra-fda-chief-seeks-price-cap-rules-for-hospital-consumables/ License: Summary and commentary (c) Indian Opinion, reusable with attribution. Facts belong to the linked sources. Cite: https://indianopinion.org/maharashtra-fda-chief-seeks-price-cap-rules-for-hospital-consumables/#story-in-brief