STENT PRICES NOT CONNECTED WITH AFFORDABILITY ?
KEY FINDINGS
medtech policy
high end devices which shall bring long term self-reliance in this important sector which is currently dominated by imports ,” said Dr Animesh Mishra , HOD , Department of Cardiology , NEGRIMS Shillong and a member of NLEM ( National List of essential medicine ) core Committee on Stents which recommended this move .
Undue interference will kill innovation say MNCs
Meanwhile the price cap on stents has made the associations representing the multinational companies fear that the low prices will curb innovation and shall deny Indian patients access to quality products from abroad .
In a statement issue to media on July 20th , the AdvaMed ( Advanced Medical Technology Association ) has opposed the government ’ s move by arguing that the stents and medical technology generally do not meet the criteria for inclusion in the NLEM . According to The World
Health Organization , the methodology used for medicines cannot be replicated with medical devices when it comes to “ essentiality ”. “ Moreover , coronary stents are a category and not products , just like antibiotics or vaccines are also a category of medicines , which have different drug molecules within them , which can be essential ,” said the statement .
“ The quality of products and
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It clearly demonstrates that reduction of stent prices has not benefited patients so far . What ’ s required is a comprehensive multistakeholder approach , that involves contributions from other stakeholders in the access . Ms Abby Pratt , Vice President , Global Strategy and Analysis , AdvaMed
clinical outcomes do not seem to have been given a priority . Singular focus on capping prices of stents by way of their inclusion in NLEM will not help improve access to medical devices for patients , as it will not impact the overall procedure cost and limit the introduction of innovative products ,” mentioned the statement further .
Ms Abby Pratt , Vice President , Global Strategy and Analysis at
STENT PRICES NOT CONNECTED WITH AFFORDABILITY ?
A new study undertaken by the IMS Health has revealed that the price of stents in India is not the highest contributor to the overall angioplasty cost . According to IMS Health , stent prices contribute only 20 – 25 % to the overall angioplasty procedure costs . The study also found that prices of stents declined by 6-10 % per year over the last four years ( 2011-15 ) across private healthcare establishments , whereas procedure costs increased by 2-7 %.
KEY FINDINGS
• Stent cost – 20-25 % of angioplasty cost ( excluding value chain mark up )
• Other Charges – 60-67 % of angioplasty cost
• Fall in stent prices across the value chain in private health establishments – 30-50 % i . e . 6-10 % each year over last four years
• Increase in procedure prices – 2-7 % over the last four years
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BioVoiceNews | August 2016