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

Published

9 years ago

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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]

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India News

LPU students protest over reported rape allegation, police call it rumour

Students at Lovely Professional University protested over a reported rape allegation involving a worker, with police describing the claim as a rumour.

Published

17 hours ago

on

September 27, 2026

By

Students of Lovely Professional University (LPU) in Punjab staged a protest after an allegation involving the reported rape of a student by a worker at the university surfaced.

The protest led to disruption around the university, with students taking to the streets and blocking the Jalandhar-Phagwara National Highway, according to the report.

The allegation triggered anger among students, who demanded action over the reported incident.

Police describe rape claim as rumour

Police, however, described the rape claim as a rumour, indicating that the allegation had not been established as a confirmed incident.

The distinction is important because the reported sexual assault allegation should not be treated as a confirmed rape unless investigators or other authoritative sources establish that fact.

The protests nevertheless continued as students sought clarity and action over the issue.

Protest disrupts traffic

The student demonstration also affected traffic on the Jalandhar-Phagwara National Highway. The protest brought attention to the allegations and the concerns being raised by students at the university.

With police calling the claim a rumour, further verification and investigation would be necessary to establish what actually happened.

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India News

INDIA bloc likely to meet on September 30 over Gyanesh Kumar row

INDIA bloc parties are likely to meet in New Delhi on September 30 amid growing opposition to Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar and the Special Intensive Revision of electoral rolls.

Published

1 day ago

on

September 26, 2026

By

Rahul-Gandhi

Opposition parties belonging to the INDIA bloc are set to meet in New Delhi on September 30 to discuss concerns surrounding the Election Commission, the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls and a proposed removal motion against Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar.

The proposed meeting comes amid growing coordination among opposition parties over the functioning of the poll panel and demands for action against Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar. The parties are also discussing a possible joint response to the developments.

Why is the INDIA bloc meeting being planned?

The INDIA bloc meeting on September 30 comes amid reports of objections within the Election Commission over certain decisions and orders related to the SIR exercise. 

According to the report, Opposition leaders have been discussing a coordinated response to their concerns over the Election Commission and the electoral-roll revision process. 

The issue is also expected to be discussed at the Congress Working Committee meeting scheduled for September 29, a day before the proposed INDIA bloc meeting.

Gyanesh Kumar removal demand in focus

The demand for the removal of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar has become a major point of contention between the Opposition and the Election Commission.

The CPI(M), CPI and CPI(ML)-Liberation have demanded Kumar’s removal and an immediate halt to the SIR exercise. Congress has also intensified its criticism of the CEC.

Opposition parties are also working on a fresh removal motion against Gyanesh Kumar. The September 30 meeting is expected to finalise the strategy for the motion, including the collection of signatures. According to the report, this would be the Opposition’s third such attempt. 

What is the SIR controversy?

The political dispute is linked to the Special Intensive Revision of electoral rolls, or SIR.

The controversy intensified following a report that Election Commissioners Sukhbir Singh Sandhu and Vivek Joshi had recorded objections on several occasions concerning decisions and orders related to the SIR process.

The Election Commission has said that differing views and observations are part of normal deliberations in a multi-member constitutional body. The poll panel has also maintained that its orders have legal sanction and follow statutory procedures, while stating that the final decisions on the SIR were taken unanimously. 

TMC and Left parties coordinate over the issue

The developments have also brought the Trinamool Congress and the CPI(M) together on the Election Commission issue, despite their political differences in West Bengal.

CPI(M) general secretary M A Baby proposed an immediate meeting to discuss a joint strategy. According to the report, Mamata Banerjee spoke with M A Baby and Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi, after which the leaders settled on September 30 for the meeting. 

What could be discussed at the September 30 meeting?

The proposed meeting is expected to focus on:

  • Concerns surrounding the Election Commission
  • The Special Intensive Revision of electoral rolls
  • Opposition demands concerning CEC Gyanesh Kumar
  • A possible fresh removal notice against the CEC
  • A coordinated response by INDIA bloc parties

The exact agenda and participation will depend on the discussions among the opposition parties before the proposed meeting.

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“Will die but won’t give up”: Sahil Wakode’s parents urge IIT students to continue fight 

Sahil Wakode’s parents have appealed to IIT Bombay students to continue their fight for justice amid the ongoing investigation into their son’s death.

Published

1 day ago

on

September 26, 2026

By

Sahil Wakode

The parents of IIT Bombay student Sahil Wakode have appealed to students to continue raising their voices and fighting for justice following their son’s death.

Sahil Wakode, a second-year student at IIT Bombay, died in his hostel room on September 18. His death has led to student protests and an ongoing investigation by the Mumbai Crime Branch.

What Sahil Wakode’s parents have alleged

Sahil’s parents have alleged that their son faced caste-based discrimination and harassment at IIT Bombay before his death. They have sought action against those they hold responsible and have demanded a thorough investigation into the circumstances surrounding his death.

The family has also called for a CBI inquiry and has sought the arrest of officials named in the case. These remain allegations and are part of the ongoing investigation.

The Mumbai Crime Branch took over the probe after an FIR was registered following the complaint by Sahil’s parents.

IIT Bombay’s position

IIT Bombay has said that Sahil was allegedly caught using a mobile phone during a mid-semester examination and had uploaded the question paper to ChatGPT to seek answers.

The institute has maintained that no disciplinary action had been initiated against him. It said the matter had been discussed with him by the instructor and the Head of the Department, who counselled him and assured him that the incident would not adversely affect his academic career.

The circumstances surrounding Sahil’s death are being investigated by the appropriate authorities.

Investigation continues

The case remains under investigation, with the Mumbai Crime Branch examining the circumstances surrounding Sahil’s death and the allegations made by his family.

His parents have continued to demand justice and action against those they believe were responsible, while the investigation is expected to establish the facts surrounding the case.

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