On Monday, April 5, Maharashtra Health Minister Rajesh Tope warned of action against private hospitals overcharging COVID-19 patients with deposits and unnecessary tests.
While addressing reporters, he said that he had received complaints stating some hospitals were making people deposit lump sum amounts ranging from INR 50,000 to INR 1 lakh before admitting COVID-19 patients.
He said that strict action would be taken against such private hospitals in Maharashtra.
The minister also cautioned doctors of private facilities against the "indiscriminate" use of Remdesivir injections, known to be effective in COVID-19 treatment. The minister said the injection should be given only as per the procedure laid down by the state task force on COVID-19.
This comes after several hospitals in the state have been recovering the printed price of Remdesivir injections from the patients and making a profit. As a result, the Food and Drugs Administration (FDA) has now proposed to the Center that the printed retail price on the injection be lowered to avoid patients getting overcharged.
The FDA and Medical Education and Drugs departments held joint meetings in this regard last week, an official statement said.
Since February this year, the printed price on the 100 mg Remdesivir was not reduced though the actual selling price by wholesalers to hospitals was brought down by the state government. However, most of the hospitals were found quoting the printed price to the patients which were 10 to 30 per cent higher (than the procurement cost).
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