Bangladesh Govt. Reduces Cardiac Stents Prices: Notification

The government has revised the maximum retail prices of 10 coronary stents from Abbott, Boston Scientific, and Medtronic, following recommendations from a specialist advisory committee and analysis of international and domestic market prices.

Depending on the importing company, the new retail price has been set between Tk 50,000 and Tk 100,000, the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare said today (August 4).

The new prices include taxes, VAT, various charges, and reasonable company profit margins, the health ministry said in a notice today (4 August). The move comes amid concerns that stents are significantly more expensive in Bangladesh compared to India.

The key price changes are:

Resolute Onyx (Medtronic): Reduced from Tk 140,500 to Tk 90,000

Promus Elite (Boston Scientific): Tk 79,000 to Tk 72,000

Synergy XID (Boston Scientific): Tk 188,000 to Tk 100,000

Xience Prime (Abbott): Tk 66,600 to Tk 50,000

Onyx Trucor (Medtronic): Tk 72,500 to Tk 50,000

Several other models from Boston Scientific and Abbott have also seen significant price reductions.The Health Ministry has instructed that the new price list be widely displayed, and hospitals are barred from charging more than 5% as service fees for stent procedures.

Based on the recommendations of the expert advisory committee, the proposal to revise the maximum retail prices of coronary stents imported from Abbott, Boston Scientific, and Medtronic has been approved, considering taxes, VAT, various charges or commissions and reasonable company profits, it said.

The ministry has instructed authorities to widely publicise the approved price list and ensure that hospitals do not charge more than 5% as service fees for stents.

It has also directed strict monitoring to prevent the purchase of any cardiovascular or neuro implant devices at prices above the approved market retail price.