Adya Death: Fortis took up to 1700% margin on items

New Delhi: Data submitted by Fortis Memorial Hospital, Gurgaon, to the National Pharmaceutical Pricing Authority in connection with the inquiry into the death of seven-year-old Adya Singh shows that the hospital had charged up to a 1,700% margin on medical consumables, over 900% on some non-scheduled drugs, and up to 300% on many scheduled (under price control) drugs.

For instance, a syringe bought for Rs 15.29 was charged at Rs 200, a blood transfusion set bought for Rs 13 was billed at Rs 126, and a drug bought for Rs 400 was sold to the patient at Rs 3,100. On average, the hospital charged at least double the procurement price for most items. Releasing the findings of its investigations, the NPPA said, “NPPA shall be taking necessary follow-up action as per existing law and within its jurisdiction.”

Fortis said it does not charge above the printed MRP and there was no violation of the drug price control order. It also said its price to the patient was “very much in line with what other private hospitals in India charge”.

NPPA had issued notice to the hospital following allegations of over-charging by the parents of the girl who died after being discharged from the hospital after receiving dengue treatment for over two weeks in September. The authority had sought copies of the bills raised, names of the medicines and details of quantity and price charged. The parents had complained that they were billed heavily for 1,600 gloves, 660 syringes and many high-end antibiotics.

source from TOI