Prices of five medical devices drop: Centre

NEW DELHI: A total of 620 brands have recorded reduction in prices after the government capped trade margins on five critical medical devices, such as pulse oximeter and digital thermometer, at 70% with effect from July 20, the chemicals and fertilisers ministry said on Saturday.

The National Pharmaceuticals Pricing Authority (NPPA) has capped prices for pulse oximeters, digital thermometers, nebulisers, blood pressure monitors, and glucometers.

“The margin was capped up to 70 per cent on Price to Distributor (PTD) level. Pursuant there to, a total of 684 products/brands of these medical devices have been reported as on July 23, 2021, and 620 products/brands (91 per cent) have reported downward revision of MRP,” the ministry said.

An office memorandum issued on July 14 directed manufacturers and importers to submit the revised MRPS (maximum retail prices) of their products. The prices of 93% of the fingertip pulse oximeter brands and 85% of the pulse oximeters used to monitor patients in hospitals have been reduced, as per the NPPA data. There was up to 88% reduction in prices for fingertip pulse oximeters, sale of which picked up pace during the pandemic, especially during the second wave.

The data suggested that prices of 91% of the digital thermometers available in the market have been reduced, besides cut in prices of 90% of the blood pressure monitor brands, 91% of nebulisers, and 94% of the glucometers, as per the NPPA data.