Why MRP and its enforcement on medical devices is critical.
Read the information below on medtronic, a large producer of heart stents to understand how partnerships between companies and hospitals under an organised campaign were selling 30000 stent for 1.2-1.5 lakhs. Through efforts in the consumer circles and its ministry rules have been made to make mrp mandatory but who is enforcing. We need to demand enforcement by mrp controllers or one more good law made with consumer participation will go waste.
In 2013, Medtronic envisaged partnerships with 88 hospitals in various Indian cities, known as the Healthy Heart For All initiative. These hospitals were chosen with the target on paper: “keeping in mind 20-50 implants were to be done per month”. Medtronic offered to help the hospital attract new patients with a financing programme, backed by marketing campaigns. Working with a consulting firm hired by Medtronic, hospitals published advertisements in newspapers promoting Healthy Heart and organised promotional events.
These hospital partners conducted free screenings in their nearby areas and villages for heart ailments, and one in 10 was referred to the hospital for additional tests for a Medtronic pacemaker, coronary stent or defibrillator. Records show that as the programme was scaled up, Medtronic roped in Arogya Finance, a non-banking financial company (NBFC), to provide loans to purchase their products. Allegedly, Medtronic funded the NBFC by providing “unsecured borrowings” worth Rs 3.61 crore. It is interesting to note that the financing company was offering loans only to patients using Medtronic’s products. A stent that cost around Rs 30,000 in the market was being sold for Rs 1.2-1.5 lakh. more
In 2013, Medtronic envisaged partnerships with 88 hospitals in various Indian cities, known as the Healthy Heart For All initiative. These hospitals were chosen with the target on paper: “keeping in mind 20-50 implants were to be done per month”. Medtronic offered to help the hospital attract new patients with a financing programme, backed by marketing campaigns. Working with a consulting firm hired by Medtronic, hospitals published advertisements in newspapers promoting Healthy Heart and organised promotional events.
These hospital partners conducted free screenings in their nearby areas and villages for heart ailments, and one in 10 was referred to the hospital for additional tests for a Medtronic pacemaker, coronary stent or defibrillator. Records show that as the programme was scaled up, Medtronic roped in Arogya Finance, a non-banking financial company (NBFC), to provide loans to purchase their products. Allegedly, Medtronic funded the NBFC by providing “unsecured borrowings” worth Rs 3.61 crore. It is interesting to note that the financing company was offering loans only to patients using Medtronic’s products. A stent that cost around Rs 30,000 in the market was being sold for Rs 1.2-1.5 lakh. more
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Commercialization of the Human beings bad times has become a culture in today's society. Need a tough action to control this by setting norms / price & standards for each item / service. All the medical situations must be assessed, diagnosed & recommended through a common portal, viewed by all the doctors / hospitals & the Govt. agencies for a controlled actions. Any deviation must be checked, assessed & punished as per their gravity. Or it should be made free to all with best / fair facilities without any class / categorization. more
Jan 31
Price of items must move to a cost plus profit band plus taxes where the price has to be itemised on a medical bill with batch / serial number. Hospitals should not be allowed to charge anything they feel by giving a package price where individual components are not disclosed with specific prices. Further, cost of medicines, consumbles, rentals and services (including doctors fee) should be itemised over Rs 200 per hour of Rs 1000 per item. Once legislation covers this, it will keep arbitrary charges in check. Average cost of rendering a facility or service must also be mentioned in the invoice to raise awareness. Sometimes, hospitals subsidise costs and certain things are costlier for a section of society. All that is needed is transparency and disclosure. more
Jan 22
Its time to come out blind belief of Allopathy medical system. It's a money making industry. Do not believe the doctors / hospitals. more
Jan 21
Good observation. In my opinion , as most of us are covered by medical insurance , insurance Companies should take up with medical accessories suppliers like Medtronics or Abbot to negotiate discount applicable for that particular insurer.This will also help them to limit their losses (understand that medical insurance division of insurance companies usually suffers losses which they try to recover by raising insurance premiums).My family members have medical insurance with New India Assurance .In 2018 , a senior member over the age of 65 had to pay a premium of Rs 26,904 up from around Rs 9000/- the previous year. Another member above the age of 75 had to pay Rs 37,761/- in 2018 up from around Rs 12,000/- the previous year. This tantamounts to over 300% rise !! more
Jan 21
