Why stents are expensive: Drivers of high prices in emerging markets

Abstract

Pricing of stents is being questioned by healthcare stakeholders due to large differences in price of its product types and its variation across different markets. The stent pricing literature published during 1997–2017 were reviewed besides inputs from industry experts to identify initial key pricing drivers. Interpretive structural modeling was used to build priority for checking the price rise in emerging markets like India. Lack of regulation besides other drivers like R&D cost and price of substitute was found to be important drivers of high prices. The findings would help policy makers to take steps to make stent pricing affordable.

Keywords:

• Pricing
• stent
• value chain
• emerging markets
• India

Note

Notes

1 Press Trust of India, “India's per capita income to cross Rs 1 lakh in FY17,” Business Standard, January 6, 2017, accessed on July 14, 2017, http://www.business-standard.com/article/economy-policy/india-s-per-capita-income-to-cross-rs-1-lakh-in-fy17-117010601000_1.html