Maharashtra Drug Controller to probe KEM, Lilavati for overcharging of stents

The number of hospitals under the radar of the National Pharmaceutical Pricing Authority (NPPA) for over-charging of coronary stents has gone up to 37. There are two separate complaints against Mumbai's tertiary hospital KEM in Parel.

The case against Lilavati Hospital and KEM have been referred to the State Drug Controller (SDC) who will conduct a 100% audit. The complaints have been filed by the patients and the hospitals were earlier asked to submit a written reply to the NPPA. The number of hospitals being watched for over-charging of coronary stents is steadily rising and includes hospitals from across the country.

NPPA recently capped the prices of coronary stents and passed an order that made it mandatory for the MRP of 22 medical devices, including syringes, to be printed on the packaging.