Maharashtra FDA chief seeks pricing rules for medical consumables

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.