How NPPA Is Ensuring Hospitals and Healthcare Providers Do Not Overcharge Patients for Stents

It has only been a few weeks since the government announced that that the prices of coronary stents have been slashed by 85% but the National Pharmaceutical Pricing Authority (NPPA) is aggressively working towards ensuring this is implemented in hospitals across the country. For starters, after receiving complaints through their helpline, the National Pharmaceutical Pricing Authority (NPPA) is issuing show-cause notices to hospitals that might be breaking the new rule.

In fact, show-cause notices have already been issued to Max Hospital, Saket in Delhi, and Nidaan Hospital, Sonipat in Haryana.

Image for representation. Photo source: Wikimedia

It is also providing a detailed run-down of all the hospitals they have received complaints about.

And the organisation is using Twitter to publish the information.

Complaint of overcharging on price of stents received by NPPA helpline (26/2/17) : King Edward Hospital, Parel, Mumbai
— NPPAindia (@nppa_india) February 26, 2017

However, NPPA will not take any action against hospitals that are able to refund money to patients if they have overcharged on stents, before the body has sent across a demand notice.

If the hospitals under the scanner refund money to patients before NPPA issues 'demand notice', matter ends till there is no new complaint
— NPPAindia (@nppa_india) February 24, 2017

But it isn't just patients that NPPA is intent on helping; through its Tweets, the body is reaching out to hospitals that might be suffering from shortages of supplies.

It promises that it will address the needs of doctors and hospitals.

Hospitals/doctors finding any shortage of stents of any company and/or any brand should inform NPPA which will ensure supplies
— NPPAindia (@nppa_india) February 26, 2017

By slashing the prices of coronary stents, the government is helping patients with coronary diseases save up to ₹ 4,450 crore within a year. Stents are used to keep the arteries open when patients undergo treatment and estimates show that 6 lakh stents were used in India in 2016 alone for angioplasties.

To raise a complaint against a healthcare provider, contact NPPA here

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