On the initiative of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Centre has taken an initiative to bring down the prices of medical devices by coordinating with various ministries and manufacturers. The Union Minister for Health and Family Welfare, Dr. Mansukh Mandaviya shared this information while replying to a letter of BJP Rajya Sabha MP from State Mahesh Poddar.

Member of Parliament Poddar in his letter written on 23/12/21 has mentioned about relief to the people due to the significant reduction in the prices of cardiac stents and knee implants, at the same time suggesting the Union Health Minister to bring down the prices of other medical devices in dialogue with the manufacturers and various ministries.

Replying to MP Poddar's letter, Union Health Minister Dr. Mandaviya has said that the National Pharmaceutical Pricing Authority (NPPA) under "Trade Marginalization" has introduced various schemes including Oxygen Concentrator, Glucometer, Nebulizer, Pulse Oximeter, BP Monitor and Digital Thermometer. The prices of other medical devices have been regulated. Further, the NPPA ensures that the MRP of 'consumables' notified as drugs is not increased by more than 10% over the price prevailing during the preceding twelve months by their manufacturers.

He informed that comparatively higher duty is levied on medical devices manufactured by the Finance Ministry and lower duty on input goods used in their manufacture to encourage local manufacturing of these items and to create a strong medical device manufacturing sector. Can you

Similarly, the Ministry of Corporate Affairs has made a provision that promotion of health care is prominently included in the 'Eligible List of Activities' to be undertaken as CSR by the companies. In addition, setting up of temporary hospitals, temporary COVID care facilities, setting up of medical oxygen production and storage plants, treatment of COVID 19 for persons other than employees and COVID 19 vaccination, manufacture and supply of oxygen concentrators, ventilators, cylinders and other medical equipment.

The Union Health Minister has said in his letter that with these efforts, every effort is being made to make the medical facility affordable for the general public.