Kumar said that as per the data analysis of National Pharmaceutical Pricing Authority (NPPA), under Ministry of Chemicals & Fertilizers, there was huge margin in trade which was found to be unreasonable and in a way unethical ‘profiteering’. The NPPA, while fixing the ceiling prices, has kept all the new technology implants in mind and prices have been fixed accordingly, which are as follows:
| Type of Knee Implant | Average
MRP Earlier (Rupees) |
Average
Price Reduction |
New Ceiling
Price and MRP* (Rupees) |
| Cobalt Chromium (most widely used) | 1,58,324 | 65% | 54,720 |
| Special Metal like Titanium & Oxidized Zirconium | 2,49,251 | 69% | 76,600 |
| High Flexibility Implant | 1,81,728 | 69% | 56,490 |
| Revision Implants | 2,76,869 | 59% | 1,13,950 |
| Specialised Implants for Cancer & Tumour | Company specific prices; to be fixed by NPPA at Rs. 1,13,950 | ||
*Companies will print the MRP by adding GST on these ceiling prices
According to the World Health Organization (WHO) by 2020, osteoarthritis is going to be the fourth largest cause of immobility in the world. India has about 1.2 to 1.5 crore orthopaedic patients who require orthopaedic implant surgery. Most of the diagnosed people requiring knee surgery are not able to afford because of very high cost. Government is reforming this state of affairs putting a ceiling on knee implants from today, the Minister added.
Shri Kumar said that the Government expects full cooperation from all the stakeholders including importers, distributors, retailers, hospitals etc. in ensuring that the benefit of reduction of prices of knee implants reaches the last man. The Minister added that all complaints of overcharging would be strictly monitored and the overcharged amount would be recovered from erring parties with an interest of 18% over it. A step further, Shri Kumar added that the Government might also consider cancelling of licenses and initiate criminal proceedings against stakeholders engaged in unethical profiteering.
Other dignitaries present on the occasion were Minister of State for Road Transport & Highways, Shipping, Chemicals & Fertilizers, Shri Mansukh Lal Mandaviya, Shri Jai Priye Prakash, Secretary Pharmaceuticals and Shri Bhupendra Singh, Chairman NPPA.
