NPPA asks SDCs to keep tabs on Abbott, Medtronic stent supply

Drug price regulator NPPA today asked all state drug controllers to carry out checks to ensure availability of the latest stents manufactured by Abbott and Medtronic after rejecting requests from the companies to withdraw the products.

The National Pharmaceutical Pricing Authority (NPPA) also issued a similar memorandum to state drug controllers (SDCs) over advanced stents manufactured by Boston Scientific.

After capping prices of stents in February, the NPPA has been on a drive to make affordable stents available to patients across the country.

It asked SDCs to carry out checks to ensure the latest stents from the three companies are available in hospitals and with distributors.
 

"If required, necessary inspections should be carried out at place of business of stent companies, distributors, hospitals...," it added.

The regulator also asked hospitals, doctors and patients to immediately report to it if there were any shortage of products of India Medtronic Pvt Ltd, Abbott Healthcare Pvt Ltd and Boston Scientific India Pvt Ltd.

In February this year, the NPPA had brought stents under price control and capped their price at Rs 7,260 for bare metal variety and Rs 29,600 for drug-eluting stent (DES). The corresponding average MRPs before the price control stood at Rs 45,100 and Rs 1.21 lakh.

Following this, in April, Abbott had sought permission to withdraw its 'Alpine drug eluting' stent and 'Absorb dissolving' stent while Medtronic had also sought withdrawal of its Onyx Zotarolimus-eluting stents.

NPPA had, however, rejected the applications stating that all manufactures and importers are under legal obligation to maintain production and supply of coronary stents of all brands which were available in India before price cap.

At that time, Boston Scientific had also said that while its other drug-eluting stents will continue to be available, it may take a decision to discontinue its next generation stents Synergy and Promous Premier.

On February 21, the government had invoked emergency clause of DPCO 2013 citing public interest and asked stent manufacturers, distributors and suppliers to maintain supplies of their products for six months.