Question on prices of medical consumables
When patients are undergoing treatment in a private hospital, they and their families are left with the expenses of doctor's fees, room rent and medicines. But the final bill also includes many small medical consumables, which can increase the total expense. These include IV sets, syringes, catheters and other necessary items.
Recently, a survey conducted by Maharashtra Drug and Food Administration (FDA) has raised serious questions regarding the prices of these medical consumables. This investigation has revealed a huge difference between the purchase price of some products and their printed MRP.
Huge difference between MRP and purchase price
According to the FDA survey, a difference of up to 2,841 percent was found between the trade purchase price and MRP of medical consumables used in some hospitals.
FDA Commissioner Tukaram Mundhe said that the trade price of an IV infusion set was around Rs 11.05, while it was marked with an MRP of Rs 325. Similarly, a syringe which was purchased for around Rs 6.75 had an MRP of Rs 57.20. The purchase price of the catheter was approximately Rs 29.41, while its MRP was Rs 310.
How do expenses add up to hospital bills?
The use of several medical consumables is part of the normal procedure during treatment. Items such as IV sets, syringes, catheters and nebulizers are supplied to the patient and their cost is later added to the bill.
The problem is that the patient's family usually does not know how much the hospital had purchased the items for. The bill shows only the number of items used and the charges, but the difference between the purchase price and MRP is not clear.
In the FDA survey, in case of some products, this difference has been found ranging from 150 percent to 2,800 percent.
FDA raised questions on price difference
FDA officials have raised questions regarding the difference that if the purchase price of a medical consumable is very low and it has several times higher MRP, then on what basis the amount to be recovered from the patient is decided.
The FDA has reported this matter to the National Pharmaceutical Pricing Authority (NPPA) and has demanded an investigation into such price differences. The central government has also sought a report on this matter from NPPA.
How to check hospital bill?
When admitted to the hospital, the patient or his family can understand the bill better by keeping a few things in mind.
First, ask for an itemized bill, which should include the name, number and charges of each consumable used.
After this, one can see the MRP and other details mentioned on the packet of the used goods. If the charge for an item is unusually high, ask the hospital's billing department for information.
You can also ask the reason for using any expensive medical consumable from the doctor or hospital. With this, the patient's family can get better information about the expenses incurred during treatment.
Pay attention to small expenses in big hospital bill
The final hospital bill does not consist only of the room and medicines. Many small medical items are also included in it. Therefore, it is useful to read the entire bill carefully before discharge and seek information from the hospital about any unclear charges.
Following the investigation by Maharashtra FDA, further action at the regulatory level will be monitored on the difference between the price of medical consumables and the fees charged by hospitals from patients.