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After coronary stents, knee implant prices slashed by almost 69 pc

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[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]The reduction in implant prices – ranging between 59 and 69 per cent – will annually help an average of 1.5 lakh patients who require the orthopaedic knee transplant procedure, says Union minister for chemicals and fertilizers, Ananth Kumar

In a welcome move that is expected to benefit at least 1.5 lakh people annually, the National Pharmaceutical Pricing Authority (NPPA) has asserted its powers of price control and regulation to slash the rates of knee implants by a massive 69 per cent.

The move by the NPPA, which had earlier this year reduced the price of coronary stents by a steep 85 per cent, comes within a day of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s announcement during his Independence Day address from the ramparts of the Red Fort in which he had assured that the price of knee replacement will be brought down

The decision by the drug pricing watchdog is expected to yield a combined saving of around Rs 1,500 crore annually for some 1-1.5 lakh patients who require the knee replacement procedure, claimed Union minister for chemicals and fertilizers, Ananth Kumar.

“After cardiac stents, we have now decided to bring knee implants under price control,” Kumar said, shortly after the NPPA issued the notification announcing the cap in knee implant prices. “The government will not be a mute spectator to illegal and unethical profiteering (by hospitals and medical equipment suppliers),” Kumar said, while adding that the government will take stringent action against hospitals, importers and retailers “if they charge in excess of the maximum retail price (MRP).”

These prices are exclusive of goods and services tax, but take trade margins for manufacturers or importers, distributors and hospitals into account, according to the NPPA

Type of implant New price (excl GST) Earlier price Reduction
Cobalt Chromium

(most widely used implant)

Rs 54,720 Rs1.58 lakh 65 %
Titanium & Oxidised Zirconium Rs 76,600 Rs 2.49 lakh 69 %
High flexibility Rs 56, 490 Rs 1.82 lakh 69 %
Revised rate for those patients who require a second implant surgery Rs 1.14 lakh Rs 2.77 lakh 59 %

The price of total knee implants made of cobalt chromium has now been capped at Rs 54,720, down 65% from its average maximum retail price of Rs 1.58 lakh, according to the Union ministry of chemicals and fertilizers which also notes that these are the most widely used complete knee implants in the country.

As per the NPPA notification, total knee implants made of special metals like titanium and oxidized zirconium can be priced at a maximum of Rs 76,600, or 69% lower than the original average MRP. High-flexibility implants have also seen a similar reduction in the maximum price to Rs 56,490. Revision implants, used in repeat procedures when the initial knee implant has failed, is capped 59% lower at Rs 1.14 lakh, down from an average of Rs 2.77 lakh.

The NPPA has also clarified that special knee implants for cancer or tumours will follow the prices of revision knee implants.

A report in The Economic Times quoted a statement by NPPA as: “Out of 1.5-2 crore patients who require arthroplasty interventions, only around a lakh are in a position to pay for the procedure every year”. The NPPA has also cited a World Health Organization (WHO) bulletin from 2003 which states that ‘osteoarthritis could become the fourth leading cause of disability by 2020’ and India is likely to be one of the leading countries of such immobilized citizens in terms of numbers.

“As the public is aware, prices remain too high for devices across the board. We would like this to be the start for NPPA to systematically fix prices of all other devices on which data was collected in public interest,” Malini Aisola of patient group All India Drug Action Network (AIDAN) told the Economic Times. Aisola, however, also cautioned that “price reductions will not be successful without a check on the hospital rates.”

As such, the NPPA has said that no healthcare institution that provides the facility of orthopaedic surgical procedures using knee implants can solicit any patient to buy the knee implant from it which effectively means that a patient is free to procure implants from a third-party and is not bound to buy it from the hospital where he/she is getting the surgical procedure performed.

The NPPA has also directed healthcare institutions to mention the cost of the knee implants component wise. The brand name, name of the manufacturer, importer, batch number, specifications and other details should all be mention in the institution’s estimate, performa invoice or final bill given to the patient.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]

India News

Abhishek Banerjee says will not bow to BJP after nearly 11 hours of ED questioning

After spending nearly 11 hours before the Enforcement Directorate, TMC leader Abhishek Banerjee said he would not bow to the BJP and accused the ruling party of using investigative agencies for political purposes.

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Abhishek Banerjee

Trinamool Congress leader and Diamond Harbour MP Abhishek Banerjee on Tuesday said he would not bow to the BJP after spending nearly 11 hours being questioned by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) in connection with an ongoing investigation.

Speaking after the questioning, Banerjee alleged that central agencies were being used to target opposition leaders and asserted that he would continue his political fight despite what he described as sustained pressure.

The TMC leader has repeatedly maintained that investigations involving him are politically motivated, a charge he has made on several previous occasions while appearing before central agencies.

His appearance before the ED comes amid a period of heightened political activity and multiple investigations involving leaders in West Bengal. Recent days have also seen Banerjee face summons and questioning in separate matters by state investigative agencies.

After leaving the ED office, Banerjee reiterated that he would not be intimidated and said he remained committed to his political responsibilities. He also accused the BJP of attempting to weaken opposition parties through investigative action, an allegation that the BJP has rejected in the past.

The Enforcement Directorate has not publicly commented on Banerjee’s remarks. The investigation related to the questioning remains ongoing.

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India News

DMK attacks Rahul Gandhi, accuses him of weakening opposition unity

DMK has intensified its criticism of Rahul Gandhi, alleging that the Congress leader’s actions have weakened opposition unity and strained relations within the INDIA bloc.

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Rahul-Gandhi

The war of words between the DMK and Congress has intensified, with the DMK launching a strong attack on Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi and accusing him of contributing to divisions within the opposition alliance. The criticism comes amid strained ties between the two parties following their political split in Tamil Nadu.

According to the DMK, Rahul Gandhi’s political approach has weakened unity among opposition parties. The party’s IT wing mocked the Congress leader on social media, while an editorial published in the DMK’s official mouthpiece Murasoli questioned his recent remarks on opposition solidarity.

DMK questions Rahul Gandhi’s remarks on opposition unity

In its editorial, Murasoli argued that Rahul Gandhi was speaking about opposition unity despite, according to the DMK, contributing to disagreements among alliance partners in several states. The publication cited criticism directed at Congress by various opposition parties and suggested that the party’s actions had often created tensions within the INDIA bloc.

The editorial also referred to past political disputes involving Congress and Left parties, particularly in Kerala, claiming such episodes had raised concerns among opposition allies about Congress’s approach toward its partners.

Tamil Nadu political fallout adds to tensions

The attack comes after a major political realignment in Tamil Nadu. Following the 2026 Assembly elections, Congress ended its alliance with the DMK and joined the government led by Vijay’s Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK). The move left the DMK in the opposition and significantly altered the political equation between the two former allies.

The DMK has alleged that Congress benefited from the alliance during the election and later abandoned its partner. The party’s editorial questioned whether assurances from Congress leadership would be trusted by alliance partners after the developments in Tamil Nadu.

Congress rejects allegations

Congress has not issued a detailed official response to the editorial, but party sources have rejected the allegations. According to the party, its decisions in Tamil Nadu were made in line with the mandate delivered by voters and were not intended to undermine either the DMK or the broader opposition alliance.

The latest exchange highlights growing strains between two key opposition parties even as leaders continue to stress cooperation on national issues. Just days earlier, Rahul Gandhi had said that the DMK remained aligned with the opposition on defending the “idea of India” despite political differences.

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Entertainment

Kumkum Bhagya actor Sanchita Ugale dies by suicide near Mumbai at 22

Television actor Sanchita Ugale, known for Kumkum Bhagya and Wagle Ki Duniya, died by suicide at her residence near Mumbai. Police have launched an investigation.

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Sanchita Ugale

Television actor Sanchita Ugale, known for her appearances in Kumkum Bhagya, Wagle Ki Duniya and Dilwali Dulha Le Jayegi, died by suicide at her residence in Nalasopara East near Mumbai on June 14. She was 22.

According to police officials, the incident took place at her home in Achole village, Nalasopara East. Authorities said Ugale had locked herself inside her bedroom and was later found hanging from a ceiling fan. Family members and local residents rushed her to a hospital, where doctors declared her dead.

Police have registered an Accidental Death Report (ADR) and launched an investigation into the circumstances surrounding her death. Officials said inquiries are underway and the exact reason behind the incident has not yet been established.

Career across television, OTT and films

Ugale had built a growing presence in the entertainment industry through television, streaming projects and films. Apart from Kumkum Bhagya and Wagle Ki Duniya, she played a lead role in Dilwali Dulha Le Jayegi. She also appeared in OTT projects such as Crime Aaj Kal and Silence 2.

The actor was also associated with the film Chhaava, which contributed to her growing recognition among audiences.

Last social media post draws attention

Following news of her death, social media users shared and commented on Ugale’s final Instagram post, which had been uploaded hours before the incident. The post showed the actor in traditional attire lip-syncing to a classic Bollywood song. Fans expressed shock and grief after learning of her death.

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