Taking note of NDTV reports on pricing patterns of medical devices sold in retail and trade markets, and unchecked profiteering, the Maharashtra government has promised a high-level probe.
“This is not just negligence. This is a blunder.
Calling up to 2800% profit margins on common medical devices “a blunder”, Maharashtra Revenue Minister Chandrashekhar Bawankule has assured a detailed investigation. We will take NDTV campaign forward and initiate a major investigation,” the Minister told NDTV. The minister added that such a huge margin between the cost and price to patients is “a massive betrayal”. “This is playing with the lives of patients.”
NDTV had reported on Wednesday the findings of an extensive market survey conducted by the Maharashtra State Price Monitoring Resource Unit (MSPMRU) under the state Food and Drugs Administration (FDA) to assess pricing patterns of medical devices sold in retail and trade markets. He also promised that he will raise this issue at the next Cabinet meet of the state government and also take it up with the Central government. The findings point to what officials describe as unchecked trade-level profiteering.
he said there needs to be transparency While pharma or any other industry will not work to incur losses. “A trade margin of 2800 per cent is by any terms not acceptable, either as a consumer or as a hospital or as a regulator,” Mundhe told NDTV.
