The Andhra Pradesh Drug Control Administration has warned the erring hospitals of strict action if they fail to comply with the NPPA order by reducing the price of stents.

L.A Govind, deputy director of AP Drugs Control Administration (APDCA) in Vizag, warned of severe action if the ‘stents’ are sold at higher rates than the ceiling prices notified by the NPPA.

The Deputy Director informed that as per NPPA’s order the actual cost of the bare metal stent is Rs. 7,260 and with inclusion of all taxes its price must not exceed more than Rs. 7,623. Similarly, the actual cost of drug eluting stent which is priced at Rs. 29,600 should not be sold for more than Rs. 30,080 with all taxes.

“We have been informed that even after the NPPA’s order; some of the hospitals are violating the order and charging exorbitant rates for stents for the patients. If any of the hospitals are found violating the order the consumers could directly complain to the APDCA. The public can call us over phone no 0891-2552886 to lodge their complaints,” informed Govind.

Recently, the drug control departments officials conducted inspections both in the government and private hospitals and found the stocks of stents are adequately available. However they have not displayed the price labels on the stents. “Though the dealers and all major hospitals are having adequate stocks of stents, they have not yet labeled the prices of the stents. We have directed all the stock dealers and the hospital managements to display the price list of the stents and be transparent in their transactions,” informed the Deputy Director.