The National Pharmaceutical Pricing Authority (NPPA) has issued a notice to Fortis Healthcare Ltd. seeking information regarding alleged charging of exorbitant bill by the hospital in a recent dengue death case.

The hospital came under fire for charging a family Rs. 16 lakh for a two-week treatment of a seven-year-old girl for dengue. The girl underwent treatment at Fortis Memorial Research Institute (FMRI) in Gurugram, but later died of the disease in September.

The incident came to light following a social media post by the father of the deceased. Union Health Minister J. P. Nadda had taken note of the post and sought details of the case for necessary action.

In its one-page letter, the NPPA said it had taken notice of media reports stating that the hospital charged approximately Rs. 16 lakh from Jayant Singh for treatment of his daughter diagnosed with dengue.

Inflated prices

“The reports suggests that apart from hospital charges, the billing includes inflated cost of medicine, syringes and injectables. The NPPA is mandated to enquire and take action in cases wherever there is a violation of Drug Price Control Order, 2013,” read the letter.

“You [Fortis] are required to provide the copies of the invoices/bills raised, name of the medicines administered to the patient along with details of the quantity/price charged towards medicines and consumables,” the letter added.