Will the Minister of HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE be pleased to state:
(a) whether the Government is aware that in the report of National Pharmaceuticals Pricing Authority it has been revealed that old equipments are being used in cardiac surgery and the hospitals are charging the price of new equipment from the patients;
(b) if so, the details thereof, hospitalwise; and
(c) the action taken/being taken by the Government against said hospitals?
ANSWER
THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF HEALTH AND
FAMILY WELFARE
(SHRI ASHWINI KUMAR CHOUBEY)
(a) to (c): National Pharmaceuticals Pricing Authority under the Department of Pharmaceuticals has informed that a meeting of stakeholders consisting of coronary stent manufactures, industry associations, civil society groups, hospital and nursing home associations and eminent cardiologists regarding price fixation of coronary stents was held. During the course of the discussions, some health activists and some intervention cardiologists claimed that many hospitals allegedly reused the catheters/balloons/guide wire after sterilization and charged the patients at the full rate of new catheters/balloons/guide wire or with some ‘concession’. However, details in support of such claims are not available.
With regard to Central Government Hospitals located in Delhi i.e. Safdarjung Hospital, Dr. RML Hospital and Lady Hardinge Medical college and associated hospitals, there is no report indicating use of old equipments in cardiac surgery and over charging the price of new equipment from the patients.