Stent prices likely to be aligned with CGHS rates

Stent makers have been at loggerheads over differential pricing of drug-eluting stents

The National Pharmaceutical Pricing Authority (NPPA) has proposed capping stent prices at rates charged by the Central Government Health Scheme (CGHS) with an annual increase of 10 per cent.

This is among the options the NPPA is considering to control stent prices before it begins three days of consultations with manufacturers tomorrow.

“In case of coronary stents, hospitals and nursing homes are acting as de facto retailers,” NPPA said in a notification.

The CGHS, which provides subsidised health care to central government employees, charges Rs 23,000 for drug-eluting stents and Rs 12,000 for metal stents.  In open market, prices of stents range between