Drug Administration fixes prices of 129 cataract lenses

A day after reducing the prices of cardiac stents, the Directorate General of Drug Administration (DGDA) of Bangladesh fixed the prices of 129 intraocular lenses (IOL), used for cataract surgeries.

On Wednesday, the DGDA issued a circular, bringing into effect the maximum retail prices for these lenses. The move aims to standardise prices and address concerns about arbitrary pricing in the healthcare sector.

The circular, signed by Major General Mohammad Yousuf, the director general of the DGDA, outlines the minimum and maximum prices for the 129 types of lenses imported from 12 different countries. The minimum fixed price is Tk143, while the maximum price is capped at Tk1.26 lakh.

Section 30 (1) of the Medicines and Cosmetics Act-2023 empowers the DGDA to set the maximum prices for eye lenses, and the circular directs all concerned hospitals to prominently display the price list on their notice boards. This transparency measure ensures that patients are informed about the standardised costs of these essential medical devices.

To enhance transparency further, customers are now required to receive a detailed cash memo containing information such as the lens's name, maximum retail price, and the country of manufacture.

Moreover, DGDA has mandated that post-Phaco surgery, patients must be provided with a lens package that includes crucial details like manufacturing date, expiration date, country of manufacture, and maximum retail price. This step is intended to serve as a reference for surgeons.

An analysis of the pricing list reveals that the majority of the lenses (49 out of 129) are imported from the United States, followed by 42 types from India. Other contributing countries include the UK, Thailand, Belgium, Germany, Barbados, Hungary, Singapore, Japan, Greece, and Spain.

The pricing spectrum is diverse, ranging from the lowest price of Tk143 for the India-made Eye-O-Care PMMA Intraocular lens to the highest price of Tk1.26 lakh for the Germany-made single piece AT Lisa Tri Toric 949 MP Posterior-Chamber.

DGDA sources highlighted that the prices of all lenses were previously not standardised, with the last adjustment occurring in 2020.

DGDA Deputy Director Nurul Alam emphasised the necessity of this initiative, saying, "The price of eye lenses had been chaotic for a long time. People were charging patients whatever they wanted. So we have now fixed a price, and everyone will sell lenses at that price from now on. This will reduce the suffering of eye patients."

Nurul Alam further revealed that the DGDA will actively monitor importers and hospitals to ensure compliance with the fixed prices. Any entity found selling lenses above the specified prices may face penalties under the Drug and Cosmetics Act, including imprisonment for up to two years or a fine of Tk2 lakh, or both.

See the full price list below: