Groups Demand Regulation of Private Hospital Charges and Trade Margins
The Jan Swasthya Abhiyan and the Working Group on Access to Medicines have urged regulation of charges by private hospitals and trade margins for medical products. In a statement on October 5, 2026, they highlighted the high costs faced by patients and the lack of mechanisms to contest bills. The Supreme Court has scrutinised pricing practices in hospital pharmacies, questioning steep markups and the requirement for patients to buy medicines from linked pharmacies. The groups called for ceilings on hospital charges and a review of competition laws related to pharmaceutical sales. They also expressed concerns over financial incentives affecting clinical decisions and advocated for a stronger public healthcare system alongside private sector regulation.
Published 1 day ago • 05 Oct 2026, 08:26 PM IST