Significant drug price discrepancies have been discovered in hospital pharmacies in Uttar Pradesh. An investigation by the Food Safety and Drug Administration (FSDA) revealed a significant discrepancy between the purchase price and the maximum retail price (MRP) printed on the packs of some medicines. The largest discrepancy was found in Polymyxin-B injection, which was purchased for approximately ₹74, while its MRP was listed at ₹4980.94. This difference is approximately 67 times.
According to the FSDA, data from 214 pharmacies affiliated with medical colleges and private hospitals in the state were examined. The purchase price and MRP of 130 medicines and injections were compared. The investigation found 36 medicines with MRPs exceeding 10 times the purchase price. In some cases, this discrepancy reached 67 times.
The case of Polymyxin-B injections is the most shocking among the data revealed in the investigation. The purchase price of 500,000 units of Gufipol injections was recorded at ₹74.09, while its MRP was ₹4980.94. This represents a difference of approximately 67 times between the two prices.
Similarly, the purchase price of 500,000 units of Gufipol was approximately ₹90, while the MRP on the pack was ₹4528.10. In this case, the MRP was approximately 50 times higher than the purchase price.
The FSDA investigation also revealed significant price variations for several injectable medications used to treat serious illnesses and infections. The purchase price of one Terlipressin injection was recorded at ₹56, while its MRP was ₹3050. This was approximately 54 times higher than the purchase price.
Similarly, the purchase price of colistimethate sodium 4.5 mIU, used to treat serious infections, was found to be ₹210, while its MRP was ₹9702.31. The purchase price of tigecycline 50 mg injection was ₹154.54, while its MRP was ₹7110.47. The FSDA’s analysis revealed such significant discrepancies in the prices of several injectable medications used for serious infections and ICU-like conditions.
The investigation also revealed significant variations in the prices of different drugs and brands. For example, the MRP of 1 gram of meropenem for different brands ranged from 5.31 to 9.98 times higher than the purchase price.
Among the more expensive drugs, the purchase price of bevacizumab 400 mg was ₹7541.10, while its MRP was ₹69,995. This represents a difference of over ₹62,000 per unit.
The FSDA’s investigation wasn’t limited to medicines. Significant discrepancies were also found between the purchase price and the MRP of some medical devices used in hospitals.
The purchase price of a three-way stopcock was only ₹6.40, while its MRP was listed at ₹163. Consequently, the MRP was more than 25 times the purchase price.
The FSDA’s recent action not only compares MRP and purchase price, but also examines the actual amount hospitals are charging patients for medicines. During the inspection of pharmacies at 12 private hospitals in Lucknow on September 30 and October 1, records related to billing, stock, and purchase and sale of medicines were also examined. Additionally, samples of 38 medicines were taken for quality testing.
Also, during the inspection of pharmacies of 52 hospitals in 17 districts, it was also revealed in some cases that despite the hospitals getting medicines at lower prices, the patients were being charged close to the MRP. FSDA has sought clarification from the hospitals, suppliers and manufacturers in such cases.