Mid-Day Opinion: Hospitals cannot be allowed to loot patients

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A Maharashtra FDA survey has now highlighted the extent of the price variation in commonly used medical items, prompting FDA Commissioner Tukaram Mundhe to seek a review of the pricing mechanism from the Centre.

The survey compared procurement prices paid by private hospitals with the printed MRP or the amount charged to patients for surgical consumables used in inpatient departments. One IV infusion set, purchased for Rs 11.05, was found to have been billed at Rs 325. A 10-ml syringe purchased for Rs 6.75 was priced at Rs 57.20, an adult nebuliser mask kit bought for Rs 45 was priced at Rs 652. A catheter at Rs 29.41 had an MRP of Rs 310.

The findings are significant because these are not optional purchases for a patient undergoing inpatient treatment, our report said.

Let the FDA Commissioner and team now do a cleanup of the medical space, after inspection and suspension when needed at Food & Beverage establishments.

While both are different places, here too they can explore and urge higher ups, the decision makers if there is a way one can regulate the price of commonly used medical devices. For years now, patients and their families have wilted under the weight of crippling hospital bills. While one does accept that some fees are justified, not every doctor is a money machine, and stellar medical establishments so exist, there has to be greater transparency and possibly closing the gap between price procurement and what the patient/family pays. A comprehensive look and if needed, overhaul of the current system is we daresay, just what the doctor ordered.