Centre flags data gap, regulatory hurdles in curbing hospital mark-ups
The Indian government is investigating high mark-ups on hospital medicines and consumables following Supreme Court scrutiny. Officials noted a lack of comprehensive data to justify price controls and highlighted regulatory challenges due to health being a state-governed subject.
Why it matters
This highlights the ongoing tension between affordable healthcare access and the regulatory autonomy of private hospitals in India.
NEW DELHI: Amid SC’s scrutiny of hospitals charging patients steep mark-ups on medicines and consumables, govt officials have flagged gaps in data and regulatory hurdles in extending price controls to hospital supplies, saying the Centre first needs to establish the extent of margins before considering intervention.The Union govt has told the SC in its affidavit that margins on hospital consumables can range from 100% to 1,000% or more, highlighting concerns over the high mark-ups patients often face on supplies used during treatment.
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