Maharashtra FDA Chief flags massive hospital medical supply markups

Tukaram Mundhe, Commissioner of the Maharashtra Food and Drug Administration (FDA), has raised concerns regarding massive price discrepancies between the trade cost of medical consumables and their Maximum Retail Price (MRP) in hospitals.

A survey conducted by the Maharashtra FDA revealed significant markups on essential items. For example, an IV infusion set purchased for approximately Rs 11.05 carried an MRP of Rs 325, representing a markup of roughly 2,841 percent. Other findings included syringes bought for Rs 6.75 with an MRP of Rs 57.20, and catheters purchased for Rs 29.41 with an MRP of Rs 310.

Mundhe noted that patients are in a vulnerable position because these items are non-elective and necessary for treatment, leaving them with little opportunity to compare prices or seek alternatives. He highlighted that the party bearing the cost—the patient—often has the least information regarding the actual procurement costs versus the inflated prices set by manufacturers and distributors.

There are calls to review these pricing structures and present the matter to the Department of Pharmaceuticals and the National Pharmaceutical Pricing Authority (NPPA) to address the regulatory gaps between scheduled medicines and medical devices.