Image for representation purpose only
After capping the price of coronary stents, the government has now capped the cost of knee implants.
The most commonly used knee implant-- made of cobalt chromium-- in India would now cost patients Rs 54,740 instead of 1.5 lakh earlier. In fact, some hospitals used to charge as much as Rs 4.5 lakh for it.
Total knee implant made of other metals such as titanium and oxidized zirconium is now priced at Rs 76,600, almost 69 per cent lower than its original average MRP.
The step will bring a lot of relief to patients who could not afford an implant and had no choice but to live with the crippling pain.
The current market size of the Orthopedic implant in India is around Rs 2400 crores and is expected to grow at 20 per cent for next three years. The orthopedic implants can be divided into four major categories: implants used in trauma, spine injuries, knee and hip. While Indian companies mostly manufacture trauma and spine implants, multinational companies dominate the knee and hip implants market.
Eighty-five percent of the knee and hip implants used in India are manufactured by multinational companies. Knee procedures are more common in the country because of various lifestyle and hereditary factors. Squatting and sitting on the floors are integral to Indian lifestyle, which puts excessive pressure on the knee joints.
"Around 1.9 lakh knee implant surgeries are conducted in the country every year, while an estimated 4 lakh people need implants. Around two lakh people don't go for the surgery because they can't afford it," says Rajiv Chabbra, president, Orthopedic Implants Manufacturers Association (OIMA).
The decision, many feel will also give a boost to Indian manufacturers, who have only 5-7 per cent market share. " We feel that that the prices set by the government suit both manufacturers and as well as distributors. It will also encourage us to do more research in this sector," says Vivek Sharma, CEO, Sharma Orthopedic pvt ltd.
"If an implant can be performed for at Rs 65,000 in Tamil Nadu under a government scheme called Arogyashri, why is it not possible elsewhere, " asks Chabbra. "The only difficulty we see is how hospitals are going to implement it at such a short notice," he says.
Union minister of chemical and fertilizers, Ananth Kumar says that that the move to regulate knee implant prices would save around Rs 1,500 crore for the patients.
But experts say the move will benefit patients only if the government ensures the reduction in the total cost of procedure that includes many ‘extra costs’ charged by hospitals.
The new rates for knee implants
1. Primary Knee replacement (Cobalt, Cromium)
With Patella: 54, 720
Without Patella: 50, 630
2. Primary Knee replacement (Titanium, Oxidized zirconium Coated )
With Patella: 76, 660
Without Patella: 72, 570
3. Revison Knee (any Material)
With Patella: 113, 950
Without Patella: 109, 860