Hospital Consumable Markups Inexplicable, NPPA Must Review: Tukaram Mundhe
A Maharashtra Food and Drug Administration survey reveals markups of up to 2,854 per cent on medical and hospital consumables, prompting Maharashtra FDA Commissioner Tukaram Mundhe to submit recommendations to the National Pharmaceutical Pricing Authority and the Department of Pharmaceuticals for trade margin rationalisation and stricter price monitoring. Experts and consumer rights advocates call for regulatory price caps on surgical items such as IV infusion sets, syringes, and catheters. The news report also features the Union Finance Ministry's clarification rejecting opposition claims of foreign pressure regarding a proposed 0.4 per cent Merchant Discount Rate on UPI transactions above 2,000 rupees, reaffirming the independence of India's digital payments framework. Additionally, the broadcast addresses discussions surrounding online trolling and body shaming targeting actor Katrina Kaif following a public appearance during Ganesh Chaturthi celebrations.
