MTAL Wants Government To Re-Look Into Cap In Prices Of Knee Implants

MTAL Wants Government To Re-Look Into Cap In Prices Of Knee Implants

 

Medical Technology Association of India states that they they are not for price control of medical devices and want the government to once again reconsider their decision on the price cut in knee implants. 


Mtal in a detailed note has stated that they are constantly engaging with the government and they had given 8 to 9 different categories to the National Pharmaceutical Pricing Authority.

 

Mtal strongly feels that there was merit in looking at different categories to classify and allow free market economy principles for companies to compete.

 

Knee replacement surgery is not a life-threatening procedure. It is, instead, an elective surgery as the patient is free to choose to go for it or go for alternate therapies. A good proportion of osteoarthritis patients in India often do not opt for knee replacement due to fear of surgery. Since there is no emergency here, we are surprised by the use of Para 19 while we were engaged with the NPPA productively on some form of self-regulation. Para 19 of the Order empowers the National Pharmaceutical Pricing Authority (NPPA) to fix/revise the ceiling price or retail price of any drug which it deems necessary for the interest of public in case of any extraordinary circumstances, and is to be used for essential medicines/devices. Such powers need to be used sparingly and only in case of extraordinary circumstances. Such extraordinary circumstances should be defined and governed by clearly laid-out parameters.

 

MTaI reiterates that any patient access measure should be collaborative and consultative, based on mutual trust & respect, and involve all stakeholders. This will allow us to take decisions which really ensure enduring benefits for the patient. This is something we have appealed to the authorities time and again, unfortunately in vain.

 

MTaI member companies are governed by a code of conduct and ethics, and have compliance and legal departments which keep checks and balances to ensure each company operates in accordance to the law of the land.