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Last Updated : 2024-05-19 23:42:00
5 January 2024 07:21 am - 19 - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}
Colombo, Jan 5 (Daily Mirror) - A leading private hospital in Colombo, which had allegedly billed its patients with exorbitant rates for common drugs that has a maximum retail price had been summoned by the courts following charges filed by the National Medicines Regulatory Authority (NMRA).
The NMRA following a lengthy probe against the private hospital has filed charges at the Maligakanda Magistrate Court last week and the Magistrate has sent summons to the hospital management to appear in court on January 24.
A spokesperson for the NMRA told the Daily Mirror they acted on several public complaints that were received last July and an inquiry was carried out to learn the hospital had billed common drugs with higher prices.
“Acting on the public complaints we started probing the particular hospital and found that they have billed high rates for even very common drugs like Paracetamol,” an official said.
The Ministry of Health with the Cabinet endorsement publicized a list of 65 essential and most commonly used drugs with its maximum retail prices reduced by 16% with effect from June 15, 2023.
He said the preliminary investigations carried out by them on the complaints and copies of the hospital's bills received from the public seemed to have proved these allegations.
“It is common how private hospitals usually come up with exorbitant bills for the in-house patients including desired amounts for their room charges, doctor’s fee, linen and meal charges to maintain their overheads.
But it is illegal if they raise the prices of the commonly used medicines, especially when those that are listed with a maximum retail price,” the officer said.
Kandiah Balendran Friday, 05 January 2024 08:02 AM
Name of the hospital as per court documents ?
Dulanjoli Premadosa Friday, 05 January 2024 08:02 AM
Why hide the name?
Helanka Friday, 05 January 2024 08:16 AM
The unfair and deliberate misuse of charges by private hospitals shows the complete disregard towards ethical practices on the basis of looking after patients by these hospitals. Every time I have walked into a billing department I have seen how much common people suffer trying to understand the invoice generated by these hospitals. Hope at least now NMRA will put an end to this I'll gotten practise.
Kurt Von Gerhart Friday, 05 January 2024 08:38 AM
A country where people couldn’t give a damn about their fellow human beings. A ME; ME; and if there is anything left ME; culture. A bunch of bogus posers !
Disgusted Saturday, 06 January 2024 09:02 AM
Kurt Von G it's "ME MYSELF AND I,THEN CRUMBS TO FAMILY AND STOOGES".
Ama Friday, 05 January 2024 08:43 AM
Doctors study MBBS in Sri Lanka free of charge and them goto UK to do FRCS on tax Payers money with their families. Once they return, they charge big amounts from the poor patients. Even for simple CATARACT SURGERY, BIG AMOUNTS are charged.
DD Saturday, 06 January 2024 11:21 AM
That's a big fat LIE. Have you seen how much doctors charge for private CATARACT SURGERY in the UK? It's TEN TIMES WHAT THEY CHARGE IN SRI LANKA. I know you hate doctors but check your facts first!
Beware of Orang Makang Orang society Friday, 05 January 2024 08:55 AM
Lanka has become an "Orang Makang Orang" (Man eating Man society since of late. They do this, with scant care for basic human care. So, it is Money that is driving everything! Is there a Keheliya in every one these private hospitals?
Patient Friday, 05 January 2024 09:42 AM
So happy to hear that action is taken against these hospitals. Once I stayed in hospital for less than 24 hrs and my bill came to such an exorbitant amount. They charged for 100 gloves and this is only one item I'm talking about! There were many items for which they charged double the cost, thermometer, cough syrup etc! I questioned the hospital authorities and was told that its the policy of the hospital!!! I told them that it is daylight robbery! It is high time that these hospitals are exposed and law is enforced justly.
Nimal Friday, 05 January 2024 10:20 AM
Shortly, you will hear they are found not guilty. The amount of court cases in SL must be one of the highest in the world, and equally, the successful prosecutions must be the lowest. This will be a perennial bankrupt nation.
Ron Friday, 05 January 2024 11:16 AM
Privet hospitals are so unfair with everything from channelling charges to medication rooms then all other basic needs for Rich and those who have health insurance facilities they dont worry but others simply can't effort thats why our government hospitals are over crowded in every aspect there should be a balance not just to rip off patients government must introduce strickt guidlines accordingly whiting reasonable cost....
Jega Friday, 05 January 2024 12:50 PM
There is no proper place for poor and middle class patients to receive treatment affordable to their income. Government hospitals allow two patients to share one bed because of space issues. What a nasty thing. Can any one who earns a reasonable salary in SL could afford to get treatment in this so called private hospitals? No government , No NGO or even none of the charity organizations have never tried to do something about this issue. Not even an opposition party has ever made some proposals to fix this issue up to now in their election manifesto. If there is a will there is a way.
Ram Friday, 05 January 2024 02:52 PM
I hope if found guilty, the Court will make an order on the Hospital to refund to the patients the money illegally collected. It is sad that the name of the Hospital is not disclosed. It must be a Hospital located within the jurisdiction of the Maligakanda Magistrates Court
Roger Friday, 05 January 2024 03:19 PM
Its call third world tactics.....looting robbing cheating ...
Jean Antippa Friday, 05 January 2024 07:54 PM
Who owns this partly? Myna and company!
Sambo Friday, 05 January 2024 08:17 PM
This is no secret. All the private hospitals bill exorbitant prices for basic drugs.
ANNECUNT Friday, 05 January 2024 08:47 PM
WE HIDE THE NAME INCASE THE HOSPITAL COMES OUT WITH A BRIBE WE CANNOT REFUSE
Wije Saturday, 06 January 2024 08:56 AM
Almost all the Top private hospitals levy high fees, Even Dr recommends unnecessary/unwanted tests
Adwani Saturday, 06 January 2024 09:32 AM
This Hospital must hold responsible the stupid Accountant for his failed pricing policy.
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