For drugs and consumables not on the National List of Essential Medicines, the committee recommended that private hospitals be allowed to charge a profit of not more than 50% on the procurement price. Hospitals procure drugs and consumables at a fraction of the maximum retail price (MRP), often as little as 20-30% of the printed price. The committee has asked Delhi government to ensure that the NLEM drugs are also available at pharmacies. “As profit margins on NLEM drugs are lower, pharmaceutical companies often do not push these medicines in the market,” said Dr Arun Gupta, president of the Delhi Medical Council, and one of the members of the committee. Apart from the drugs and investigations, the committee also examined fixed “packages” offered by hospitals for various surgeries and procedures.

Source: Hindustan Times January 16, 2018 01:52 UTC