The recent price cut on 44 types of stents by the Directorate General of Drug Administration (DGDA) has led to a standoff with importers, disrupting treatment for heart patients in major hospitals in Dhaka. The price reduction, up to 46%, was aimed at addressing the “unreasonable” pricing of stents.
Bangladesh requires 30,000-35,000 coronary stents annually, with the country relying on imports from the US, European Union, and other nations. The National Institute of Cardiovascular Disease (NICVD) had around 350 stents in stock, while needing 8,000-10,000 annually. Importers of European stents, controlling half the local market, are unhappy with the pricing shakeup, alleging discrimination and potential patient migration to India due to lower prices there. The DGDA has defended the price cuts, emphasizing their aim to benefit the people and warning of consequences for price violations.