AIG Hospitals Gachibowli ordered to pay Rs 3.5 lakh after patient complained of excess charge for medicines
AIG Hospitals Gachibowli asked to refund Rs 3.5 lakh to patient by Ranga Reddy District Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission
By - Sistla Dakshina Murthy
AIG Hospitals in Hyderabad
Hyderabad: The Ranga Reddy District Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission has directed AIG Hospitals, Gachibowli, to refund excess amounts collected from a patient for medicines.
It also asked the hospital management to pay compensation and deposit a penalty into the Consumer Welfare Fund, holding the hospital guilty of overcharging on drug bills.
Commission orders a refund with interest
In its order, the Ranga Reddy District Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission asked the hospital to refund Rs 3,50,775 to the complainant along with 9 per cent annual interest.
The Commission directed AIG Hospitals to pay Rs 30,000 as compensation and Rs 10,000 towards litigation costs. Additionally, the hospital has been ordered to deposit Rs 1 lakh into the Consumer Welfare Fund.
Complaint claimed AIG sold Rs 700 per dose medicine at Rs 4,750.19 per dose
According to the complaint, M Sivanarayana, a resident of Macherla in Andhra Pradesh, admitted his wife to AIG Hospital in 2022 for treatment of kidney-related ailments.
During treatment, doctors administered Meroplan 1 gm injections on 79 occasions, charging Rs 4,750.19 per dose.
The complainant told the Commission that the same injection was available in the open market for about Rs 700 per dose, alleging that the hospital had collected exorbitant and unfair charges.
Hospital claims injection cost to patient same as the procured price
Counsel for AIG Hospitals refuted the allegations, stating that the hospital itself procured Meroplan injections at prices ranging between Rs 4,730 and Rs 4,750, and that the same cost was billed to the patient without any markup.
However, after examining the submissions and evidence from both sides, the Commission found merit in the complainant’s case.
Holding the hospital accountable for unfair trade practices, the Consumer Commission ruled in favour of the complainant and ordered the refund, compensation and penalty, reinforcing consumer rights in healthcare services.
