Dhaka: The Directorate General of Drug Administration (DGDA) has mandated hospitals throughout the nation to adopt the recently revised pricing structure for coronary stents, integral to cardiovascular disease treatment.
According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, this directive was communicated via a letter from the DGDA, compelling hospitals to adhere to the newly established Maximum Retail Prices (MRP) for imported coronary stents. This move follows guidance from the Health Services Division under the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, alongside recommendations from an expert advisory committee.
The revised pricing reflects substantial reductions in the maximum retail prices of coronary stents, with decreases ranging from Taka 1,000 to Taka 47,800 across various models. Notably, several popular stent models have received price cuts between Taka 3,000 and Taka 5,000. For example, stents previously costing Taka 60,000 are now priced at Taka 57,000, and those formerly priced at Taka 55,000 and Taka 53,500 have been adjusted to Taka 52,000 and Taka 50,000, respectively.
The most significant price reduction affects the Silene Covered Stent from InSitu Technologies Inc, USA, with its cost slashed from Taka 109,800 to Taka 62,000. Meanwhile, the Magma Rapamycin stent sees a price decrease from Taka 37,000 to Taka 30,000. These changes follow an earlier announcement by the DGDA on February 25, indicating a 5 to 19 percent price reduction across 28 coronary stent types.
The recent directive aims to ensure effective implementation of these revised prices at the hospital level, enhancing affordability of treatment for patients. The DGDA explained that the new prices were determined after evaluating taxes, VAT, various charges, and commissions, along with fair profit margins for importing companies.
Previously, the drug regulatory authority had instructed importers to implement the new pricing. Subsequent to this, applications from several companies for price reconsideration were reviewed during the expert committee’s seventh meeting on May 13, leading to final approval.
The revised pricing was initially proposed based on recommendations from the committee’s fifth and sixth meetings. Objections and review petitions were subsequently examined at the seventh meeting before a conclusive decision was made.
Additionally, the DGDA has issued four urgent directives for hospitals. These include displaying the updated stent price list prominently on hospital notice boards to raise public awareness. Hospitals are instructed to ensure that coronary stents are purchased and sold according to the approved Maximum Retail Prices and must not be included in any treatment packages under any circumstances.