Centre caps prices of oxygen concentrators ANI | Updated: Jun 04, 2021 14:07 IST
New Delhi [India], June 4 (ANI): The National Pharmaceutical Pricing Authority (NPPA) has capped the trade margin for oxygen concentrators at 70 per cent, the Ministry of Chemicals and Fertilizers said on Friday. NPPA has capped the trade Margin up to 70 per cent on price to distributor (PTD) level on oxygen concentrators, the ministry said.
The order will be applicable up to November 30 this year, subject to review.
The ministry said that the trade margin rationalisation approach has been taken keeping in mind the need for oxygen due to the pandemic, invoking extraordinary powers under Para 19 of the DPCO, 2013.
India News: The National Pharmaceutical Pricing Authority (NPPA) has capped the trade margin for oxygen concentrators at 70 per cent, the Ministry of Chemicals an
The Federal
Breather for patients: Pharma regulator caps trade margin on oxygen concentrators
Limits margin at 70% in bid to curb hoarding and over-pricing of the critical equipment following numerous complaints in recent weeks, particularly in Delhi
COMMENTS
At the peak of the COVID second wave, oxygen concentrators were being sold in the black market at five times their import prices.
To prevent hoarding and black marketing of oxygen concentrators, the Centre has decided to cap the trade margin on this key equipment that is used for the treatment of critically-ill COVID patients. This follows numerous complaints from various parts of the country about the exorbitant retail prices at which oxygen concentrators were sold during the peak of the second COVID wave.
In an official release, the Chemicals and Fertilisers Ministry said the decision has been taken in view of the extraordinary circumstances arising due to the pandemic which has resulted in volatility in Maximum Retail Prices (MRP) of oxygen concentrators.