NPPA asks state officials to check supply of stents

The National Pharmaceutical Pricing Authority (NPPA) has asked all state drug controllers to carry out inspections to ensure the availability of latest cardiac stents from three companies, who had approached the government to withdraw some of their products from India.

Two foreign companies Medtronics and Abbott has sought the Centre’s permission to withdraw their latest range of stents from India following price control, whereas a third one, Boston Scientific, also wished to follow the suit.

The government has rejected the companies withdrawal request, and has invoked an emergency clause in the Drug Price Control Order 2013 citing public interest. The government has asked the manufacturers, distributors and suppliers to maintain supplies of their products for six months.

The NPPA in its May 2 order asked patients, hospitals and doctors to report if any of these stents are in short supply.

“If required, necessary inspections (by the state drug controllers) should be carried out at place of business of stent companies, distributors, hospitals,” says the order.