Govt to act against companies creating artificial shortage of stents

Government today said it is keeping a close watch on some companies trying to create an artificial shortage of life-saving coronary stents and stringent action will taken against those engaging in unethical practices.

There are reports of shortages of stents in hospitals after the government reduced their prices by up to 85 per cent by capping rates of bare metal stents at Rs 7,260 and drug- eluting ones at Rs 29,600 on February 13.

National Pharmaceutical Pricing Authority (NPPA), Drug Controller General India (DCGI) as well as Health Ministry have been asked to ensure compliance of price capping and adequate availability of coronary stents in the market at the earliest.

"We are keeping an eye on all those who are engaging in unethical practices such as creating artificial shortage of stents, not abiding by the fixed ceiling price etc, against whom strict action will be taken," Pharma Secretary Jai Priye Prakash told