Daybreak Why foreign stents still rule Indian hearts
Nov 19, 2025
In Nagpur, two patients undergo angioplasties with starkly different stent choices, spotlighting the tension between Indian and imported brands. A 2017 price cap reshaped the market, pushing foreign stent makers to adapt while local firms gained traction yet grapple with trust and technology. Multinational giants are quietly re-establishing their presence, seeking to sell high-margin devices. The debate continues about which will dominate India's cardiac care, as foreign stents boast decades of data while domestic rivals strive to catch up.
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Two Angioplasties, Two Different Stents
- Dr. Sushant Patil performed two similar angioplasties with very different stents used for each patient.
- One older patient received Indian-made stents under Ayushman Bharat while the private patient insisted on an imported brand and paid extra.
Price Caps Reshaped Market Shares
- A 2017 NPPA price cap leveled stent prices and boosted domestic manufacturers' volumes sharply.
- From 2017–2023 foreign volume fell from 70% to 40% while Indian players rose from 30% to 60%.
Revenue Power Remains With Multinationals
- Revenue share stayed with multinationals despite volume loss because their stents still cost substantially more.
- This created a two-tier system where private or insured patients opt for pricier foreign stents and others use domestic ones.