New Delhi: In a strict repeat notice issued by the National Pharmaceutical Pricing Authority (NPPA) on 1st September, the erring hospitals have been directed to immediately comply with the implementation of orthopedic knee implant prices that were notified on 16 August under DPCO provisions 2013. The NPPA has also sought an explanation from these 29 hospitals which have still not been able to update their websites.
The earlier notice from NPPA on 25th August had asked the hospitals and nursing homes to display the prices they are charging the patients for the knee implant systems along with the brand name, specifications, and names of manufacturing or marketing company, within three days from the issue of the notice. However, the 29 hospitals that mostly include the medium scale hospitals, had not taken any action so far towards displaying the actual prices charged by them from patients on their websites.
“Perusal of the website of your hospital reveals that the MRP or prices of the knee implant systems at which the hospitals is charging or billing the patients, along with the brand name, specifications, and names of manufacturing/marketing company do not appear on your website till now,” mentioned the office memorandum of NPPA.
The regulator reminded erring hospitals that the DPCO, 2013, has been issued by the Central Government in the exercise of the powers conferred by Section 3 of the Essential Commodities Act, 1955 and any contravention of the provision of the same is punishable. It finally asked them to explain within seven days that why hadn’t they adhered to the notice so far.
