Patients to wait till Oct for lower-priced coronary stents

Patients will have to wait until 1 October to buy coronary stents at lower prices, despite a government price cut announced earlier in August.

On 3 August, the government reduced the price of 10 coronary stents. However, the new rates will only come into effect from 1 October, according to the Directorate General of Drug Administration (DGDA).

"The decision was taken after reviewing applications from importers of coronary stents," DGDA Director Dr Md Akhtar Hossain told reporters at a press conference today.

A coronary stent is a small mesh tube inserted into narrowed or blocked arteries to improve blood flow to the heart in patients with heart disease.

On 16 April, a special advisory committee was formed to review the prices of coronary stents, aiming to ensure affordability and a stable supply. The initial focus was on stents from three American companies — Medtronic, Boston Scientific, and Abbott — due to their comparatively higher prices.

Following the review, prices for 10 models from these companies were revised, with cuts of up to 46.8% (between Tk3,000 and Tk88,000), inclusive of taxes, VAT, charges, and reasonable profit margins.

Dr Akhtar said, "Importers have sought additional time to implement the new prices as they still hold stocks purchased at the old rates — some with inventories lasting up to six months, others up to three years.

"Meanwhile, media coverage of the price cuts has prompted patients' families to demand stents at the revised rates in hospitals."

"The health ministry has instructed that the new prices for the 10 types of stents will be enforced starting 1 October," he added.

Currently, 31 registered companies import coronary stents in Bangladesh, with the three aforementioned firms accounting for about 50% of the total supply. The prices of stents from other companies are also under review, and decisions on those are expected soon.