The National Pharmaceutical Pricing Authority (NPPA) approved a 1.74% hike in price for coronary stents, following which the costs of treatment in heart patients might go up by a certain margin in India. The price hike follows inflation-related revisions according to the Wholesale Price Index (WPI) in 2024.

Key Highlights:

Prices for stents were revised based on inflation

• NPPA has permitted stent makers and importers to increase prices by 1.74% over WPI.

• This is limited to stents that are below the regulator's ceiling price.

New ceiling prices revealed

• Bare metal stents will now be priced at ₹10,692.69 per piece.

• Drug-eluting, biometallic, and bioresorbable stents will be priced at ₹38,933.14 per piece.

Compliance enforced by DPCO 2013

• Non-compliant makers will be asked to return the excess with interest.

• Dealers and retailers have to exhibit revised price lists at their shops.

Other price controls implemented
The NPPA has also fixed ceiling prices for:

• Ringer lactate injection (for the replacement of fluids)

• Injectable piperacillin-tazobactam combination (for use in cases of pneumonia and other infections)

Leaders or Officials' Statements:
The NPPA reminded all manufacturers to strictly comply with the revised ceiling prices. "Non-compliance will result in penalties under the Drugs Prices Control Order (DPCO), 2013," the regulator said.With the burden of cardiovascular disease in India increasing—32,457 Indians died from heart attacks in 2022—the increase in price may affect patient affordability. But regulatory measures seek to balance patient access and equitable pricing for makers.