Abbott, Medtronic Can't Pull Stents Out, Says Indian Regulator

NEW DELHI: Drug price regulator National Pharmaceutical Pricing Authority has refused permission to Abbott and Medtronic to withdraw immediately their high end stents from the Indian market. Citing a previous order, re ported by TOI, by the department of pharmaceuticals prohibiting companies from withdrawing stents from the market for six months to prevent any shortage, the NPPA said after examining the legal status of the applications, the authority is of the view that "once the government has invoked Para 3 of the DPCO, 2013" no request for withdrawal can be considered.