Rohit Shishodia
The National Pharmaceutical Pricing Authority (NPPA) has said that the ceiling price of orthopedic knee implants will be monitored in such a way that the price does not increase beyond 10% in a given year. This was decided by the NPPA in a meeting held on August 8, 2019, to review the prices of knee implants.

NPPA had notified the ceiling price of orthopedic knee implants on August 16, 2017, for a period of one year. Subsequently, vide notification on August 13, 2018, the applicability of ceiling prices fixed for orthopedic knee implants was extended up to August 15, 2019.

This resulted in the cost of knee implants being reduced significantly, upto 69%, resulting in a notional saving of Rs.1500 crore per annum to the patients.   

The NPPA noted that there has been an increased access to knee implants due to affordability of the implants. “As per the data submitted by manufacturers and importers, an increase of 30% in the sales of knee implants has been reported during the period of July, 2018 to June, 2019,” states a press release issued by the Ministry of Chemicals and Fertilizers.

The knee implant is a non-scheduled medical device for which DPCO, 2013, allows an annual increase up to 10% of MRP. However, this was not permitted in 2018.

The ministry note informs that the industry has requested for a 20% (10% for the year 2018 and 10% for the year 2019) increase in the price of knee implants, which has not been accepted.