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.