DGDA announces major price cuts for heart stents by September

The Directorate General of Drug Administration (DGDA) has announced a plan to reduce prices of coronary stents, commonly called heart rings, from 33 companies by September. This move aims to make life-saving heart treatment more affordable.

Dr. Md. Akhtar Hossain, DGDA Director, said at a press briefing on Tuesday that prices of 10 types of stents from three companies have already been reduced, with new rates effective from October 1. The price cuts range from Tk 10,000 to Tk 50,000, with retail prices now set between Tk 50,000 and Tk 1 lakh, depending on the importer.

“These stents were previously priced very high. We plan to reduce prices for 30 more companies by September,” Dr. Hossain added.

The price reductions follow an August 3 order signed by Senior Assistant Secretary Mohammad Mostafizur Rahman, capping stent prices and resulting in a maximum 36% price cut.

Importers from companies including Medtronic, Abbott Vascular, and Boston Scientific welcomed the government’s move and stressed the need for a clear pricing policy to avoid arbitrary price changes.

Heart stents are widely used in Bangladesh to treat blockages in arteries through angioplasty, a procedure that implants a small mesh tube to keep blood vessels open.

Most stents are imported from the US, Germany, Poland, Switzerland, France, Italy, Spain, the Netherlands, Ireland, Japan, South Korea, and India. Hospitals display price lists for patients and doctors to choose from.

This price reduction initiative is expected to ease the financial burden on heart patients across the country.