The government on Wednesday capped the trade margin on medical devices such as oximeters, blood pressure monitoring machines and nebulizers at 70% so that these essential items are available to consumers at affordable prices amid the Covid-19 pandemic.

The other two medical devices included in this list are digital thermometers and glucometers.

The National Pharmaceutical Pricing Agency (NPPA) has instructed manufacturers and importers to report revised MRP based on the notified trade margin, within seven days. Revised MRPs will be informed in public domain thereafter by NPPA. The revised prices will come into effect from 20th July 2021.

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Every retailer, dealer, hospital and institution shall display price lists of these medical devices as furnished by the manufacturer, on a conspicuous part of the business premises in a manner so as to be easily accessible to any person wishing to consult the same.

The manufacturers and importers not complying with the revised MRP after Trade Margin capping, shall be liable to deposit the overcharged amount along with interest @15% and penalty up to 100% under the provisions of the Drugs (Prices Control) Order, 2013 read with Essential Commodities Act, 1955, according to an official statement.

State Drug Controllers (SDCs) shall monitor the compliance of the order to ensure that no manufacturer, distributer, retailer shall sell these medical devices to any consumer at a price exceeding the revised MRP, to prevent instances of black-marketing.

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“Keeping in view the evolving COVID pandemic, and the continuing demand of medical devices, the Government has decided to regulate their prices to ensure affordable healthcare and COVID management,” the government said.

The order shall be applicable up to 31st January 2022, subject to review.