Lucknow The same company, the same brand and the same medicine, but different maximum retail prices (MRPs) at different hospitals. A probe by the Uttar Pradesh Food Safety and Drug Administration (FSDA) has found significant variations in medicine prices. The department studied data collected from pharmacies of 214 hospitals across the state and found differences in the MRP of 167 medicines. Several of these included expensive drugs used in the treatment of serious diseases.
The largest variation was found in Pfizer’s inotuzumab ozogamicin 1 mg (Besponsa). Its MRP in different institutional supplies was recorded at ₹3,02,610 and ₹3,30,000, resulting in a difference of ₹27,390 for the same medicine. The drug is used in the treatment of certain serious blood-related cancers, making the significant price variation a key issue for the department’s examination.
Similarly, the MRP of Reliance Life Sciences’ tenecteplase 40 mg (Tenectorel) was found to range from ₹43,119 to ₹49,060 at different hospitals. The difference was ₹5,940. The company’s human albumin 20% (Alburel) also showed variations in MRP. Its prices were recorded at ₹7,986, ₹9,749 and ₹10,724 in different institutional supplies, resulting in a maximum difference of ₹2,738.
According to the FSDA, the reasons behind the differences in MRP for the same brand and medicine are being examined. The department has also taken up the issue with the central government and the National Pharmaceutical Pricing Authority (NPPA) to seek greater transparency in medicine pricing. The department believes that the process of determining prices for institutional supplies needs to be more transparent so that hospitals and patients do not face confusion over the actual cost of medicines.
The investigation found that price differences were not limited to expensive medicines. Variations were also detected in essential drugs used in critical medical conditions. Albumin-based medicines used to restore blood volume after accidents or severe blood loss, as well as in the treatment of liver failure and cirrhosis, were also found to have different MRPs.
Intas’ Albucel had MRPs of ₹7,986 and ₹10,989 in different institutional supplies, representing a difference of ₹3,003. Similarly, the MRP of Intas’ Benetas was recorded at ₹56,991 and ₹62,690, a difference of ₹5,699.
The variations in medicine MRPs have come to light at a time when the cost of expensive life-saving medicines can significantly affect a patient’s overall treatment expenses. When the same branded medicine is available at different hospitals with different MRPs, patients and their families may find it difficult to determine whether they are being charged an appropriate price.
Following the FSDA’s findings, the department is examining the source of the different MRPs, the terms governing institutional supplies and the process through which prices are determined. The department has also asked the central government and the NPPA to take necessary steps to improve transparency in medicine pricing and reduce disparities in the prices of the same medicines supplied to different hospitals.
