2023-12-18 15:30:04
The High Court has issued a ruling on why the discriminatory price of the most modern heart rings used in the treatment of heart patients should not be declared illegal. The concerned have been asked to respond to the rule within the next two weeks.
After the hearing of the writ in this regard, on Monday (December 18), Justice J.B. of the High Court. M. The bench consisting of Hasan and Justice Raziq Al Jalil issued this order.
Barrister Mohammad Humayan Kabir Pallab of the Supreme Court heard on behalf of the petitioners in the court today. And he was assisted by Supreme Court lawyer Advocate Bayezid Hossain, Advocate Naeem Sardar and Barrister Solaiman Tushar.
On December 12, the Department of Medicine Administration fixed the price of heart rings in Bangladesh. And on March 31, India’s National Drug Pricing Authority fixed the price of ring in that country. A review of the list of the two countries shows that the price of almost all quality heart rings is three times higher in Bangladesh than in India.
The Department of Drug Administration has fixed the maximum retail price of heart rings for 27 importers in the country. An analysis of the data published by the department showed that only four institutions have followed the national policy or markup formula in setting these prices. The price of heart rings of the same quality from these four companies is almost three times that of India.
The four companies include HRS Cardiac Care Limited, Matronic Bangladesh Limited, Medigraphic Trading Limited and Vastech Limited. Among them, the chairman of HRS Cardiac Care Limited is the director of the National Cardiac Institute and Hospital (NICVD). Mir Jamal Uddin’s wife Khurshid Jahan. And Mir Jamal’s relatives are also involved with the remaining three institutions.
The remaining 23 importers did not follow the markup formula in determining the price of heart rings. Still, the price fixed is a minimum of Rs 3,000 to three times higher than the prevailing price in India. But two brands of heart rings made in India are priced at Rs 11,000 less than those sold in India.
And the two best-selling brands of rings made in Ireland in Bangladesh cost twice the price of one in India and three times the price of the other. For example, the price of a heart ring made by Abbott Vascular Company of Ireland is 29 thousand 925 taka in Bangladeshi taka in India. The price in Bangladesh has been fixed at 66 thousand 500 taka. The price of Promus Elite brand ring made by Boston Scientific in Bangladesh is Tk 93 thousand 500. Its price in India is 29 thousand 925 rupees.
A writ was filed in the High Court on Sunday (December 17) on behalf of 11 importers, including Ocean Life Ltd. The secretary of the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, the Director General of the Department of Drug Administration and seven institutions and one person are defendants in the writ.
In this regard, Supreme Court lawyer Barrister Muhammad Humayan Kabir said that the price set by the Department of Drug Administration is discriminatory. As a result, the price fixed for all but four companies will not be able to import heart rings at that price. As a result only four companies will survive in the market. As a result syndicates are created in the market. Common people will suffer.
He said that the applicant 11 organizations have the right to do business. Applicants will be deprived of their fundamental rights due to discriminatory pricing. At the same time those who need a heart ring will have to purchase the ring at a very high price. They will also be deprived of their fundamental rights. It is expected that the defendants will respond to the ruling in due course.
FH/BA/MS
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