Health Minister rules out withdrawal of hospital billing transparency order

U.T. Khader | Photo Credit: The Hindu

Health Minister U.T. Khader has ruled out withdrawing the Food Safety and Drugs Administration (FSDA) Department’s circular mandating hospital pharmacies to disclose the purchase price and maximum retail price (MRP) of medicines, medical devices and consumables on bills, even as the Karnataka Pharma Retailers and Distributors Organisation (KPRDO) has sought its withdrawal on legal and operational grounds.

“The landing-cost disclosure issue is before the Supreme Court, and the requirement will depend on the court’s order. There are no plans to withdraw the order on displaying the MRP and purchase costs,” Mr. Khader told The Hindu on Thursday.

Retailers’ contention

The KPRDO, in a representation to the Minister and Food Safety and Drugs Administration Commissioner K. Srinivas, argued that the circular, issued under the Karnataka Private Medical Establishments (KPME) Act, 2007, could not impose additional requirements on hospital pharmacies operating under licences issued under the Central Drugs and Cosmetics Act, 1940.