KATHMANDU: The Ministry of Health and Population has issued a directive requiring hospitals to make essential surgical and transplant-related materials—such as those used in heart and orthopedic procedures—available through their in-house pharmacies starting from the upcoming fiscal year.
The decision comes after widespread complaints from patients forced to purchase such items at high prices from private vendors operating within hospital premises, due to their unavailability in government pharmacies and lack of price transparency.
Health and Population Minister Pradip Paudel had earlier announced that items required post-surgery would be made accessible at hospital pharmacies to prevent overpricing and ensure patient affordability. Following that commitment, the ministry made a secretary-level decision to mandate price disclosure and product availability in visible areas of all hospitals.
Ministry spokesperson Dr. Prakash Budhathoki confirmed that a circular has been issued accordingly. It instructs hospitals to ensure that any new medical items required for surgeries or treatments are sourced transparently—with public disclosure of manufacturers, authorized distributors, and pricing—before being provided to patients.
The ministry said the move aims to eliminate circumstances where patients lodge complaints due to inflated costs or lack of access, and it stressed the need for hospitals to strictly monitor pricing practices by private vendors.
Comment