Government Caps Price of Knee Implants, Cuts MRP Sharply

The government’s move will save patients an estimated Rs 1,500 crore annually.

Representational image of knee implants.

(Photo: iStock) 

After cardiac stents, the government on Wednesday, fixed a price range for knee implants from Rs 54,000 to Rs 1.14 lakh, nearly 70 percent lower than most surgeries currently cost.

With private hospitals reportedly charging exorbitant rates, the government capped the maximum retail price of the knee implants, a move that will save patients an estimated Rs 1,500 crore annually. Chemicals and Fertilisers Minister Ananth Kumar said at a news briefing:

Government will not remain a mute spectator and will not allow this illegal and unethical profiteering.

Also Read: Hospitals or Dealers: Who’s Pocketing Margins on Medical Devices?

1.2 - 1.5 Lakh Knee Surgeries Annually in India

The price in case of specialised implants for cancer and tumour has been sharply cut to Rs 1,13,950 from the current prices of Rs 4-9 lakh.

Every year 1.2 lakh to 1.5 lakh knee surgeries take place in India, according to the government.

It is estimated by the World Health Organization (WHO) that by 2020, osteoarthritis is going to be the fourth largest cause of immobility in globally, Kumar informed.

Kumar said Wednesday’s decision comes a day after Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced from the Red Fort on the Independence Day that prices of knee surgery would be brought down.

Also Read: #GoodNews: Bengaluru Doc Pedals Hard To Fund Free Spinal Surgeries

Govt to Take Action Against Unethical Profiteering

Kumar said:

After cardiac stents, we have now decided to bring all kinds of knee implants under price control. In our country 1.5 to 2 crore people suffer from knee problems, who need health assistance.

He also said, “Today across the country, private hospitals have increased prices of knee implant surgeries. They are indulging in unethical profiteering. To stop this and give relief to patients, we have taken this decision.”

The minister warned of stringent action against hospitals, importers, retailers if they charged in excess of the MRP saying that the government would recover excess profit from such knee implants with 18 percent interest and may also cancel licences of hospitals.

Also Read: Patients Will Save Rs 4,450 Crore After Stent Price Cap: Govt

A Comparison of the Old & New Prices of Knee Caps

• The MRP of the most-widely used complete knee implant (Cobalt-Chromium) has been fixed at Rs 54,720 plus GST, a reduction of 65 percent from earlier average MRP of Rs 1,58,324.
• The new MRP of special metal titanium and oxidised zirconium has been fixed at Rs 76,600 plus GST, down 69 percent from an average rate of Rs 2,49,251 earlier.
• High flexibility implant will now cost Rs 56,490 plus GST, down 69 percent from average MRP of Rs 1,81,728 earlier.
• Revision implants for second surgery, which patients normally need after 10 years, will now cost Rs 1,13,950 plus, lower by 59 percent from average MRP of Rs 2,76,869.
• Lastly, the MRP of specialised implants for cancer and tumour has been fixed at Rs 1,13,950 which used to be priced around Rs 4-9 lakh.

Also Read: Disease Gene ‘Edited’ in Human Embryos in Scientific First

(With inputs from PTI.)