Staff Reporter:
The Directorate General of Drug Administration (DGDA) has instructed hospitals across the country to implement the newly revised prices of coronary stents, commonly known as heart rings, used in the treatment of cardiovascular diseases.
In a letter issued yesterday, the DGDA directed all hospitals to enforce the newly fixed Maximum Retail Prices (MRP) for imported coronary stents.
According to the letter, the prices were revised following directives from the Health Services Division under the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare and recommendations made by an expert advisory committee.
The revised price list shows reductions in the maximum retail prices of coronary stents, ranging from about Taka 1,000 to Taka 47,800 across different models.
Several widely used stents have seen price cuts of around Taka 3,000 to Taka 5,000. For instance, stents previously priced at Taka 60,000 will now cost Taka 57,000, while those earlier priced at Taka 55,000 and Taka 53,500 have been reduced to Taka 52,000 and Taka 50,000 respectively.
The biggest reduction has been applied to the Silene Covered Stent manufactured by InSitu Technologies Inc of the United States, with its price lowered from Taka 109,800 to Taka 62,000. The price of the Magma Rapamycin stent has also been reduced from Taka 37,000 to Taka 30,000.
Earlier on February 25, the DGDA announced a 5 to 19 percent reduction in the prices of 28 types of coronary stents. The latest directive has been issued to ensure effective implementation of the revised prices at hospital level, making the treatment more affordable for patients.
The DGDA said the new prices were determined after considering taxes, VAT, various charges and commissions, as well as reasonable profit margins for importing companies.
Earlier, the drug regulatory authority had instructed the concerned importers to implement the revised prices. Subsequently, applications submitted by several companies seeking price reconsideration were reviewed at the seventh meeting of the expert committee held on May 13, after which the final approval was granted.
The letter said the revised prices were initially determined based on recommendations made at the fifth and sixth meetings of the expert advisory committee formed by the Health Services Division. Objections and review petitions regarding the prices were later examined at the committee’s seventh meeting before a final decision was taken.
The DGDA also issued four urgent directives for hospitals, including displaying the updated stent price list on hospital notice boards for public awareness.
Hospitals have been instructed to ensure the purchase and sale of coronary stents strictly in accordance with the approved Maximum Retail Prices and not to include the stents in any treatment package under any circumstances.
