Increase in the Price of Cardiac Stents

• Cardiac/coronary stents (BMS and DES) are notified as scheduled drugs under Schedule-I of DPCO, 2013, making their prices regulator-fixed.
• The National Pharmaceutical Pricing Authority (NPPA) under the Department of Pharmaceuticals, Ministry of Chemicals & Fertilizers revises ceiling prices using DPCO formulae; current ceilings are ₹10,692.69 (BMS) and ₹38,933.14 (DES).
• UPSC relevance: intersection of health affordability, price regulation, medical-device policy, and consumer protection — recurring GS-II/GS-III theme.