Government today said it is keeping a close watch on some companies trying to create an artificial shortage of life-saving coronary stents, and stringent action will be taken against those engaging in unethical practices. Pharma Secretary, Jai Priye Prakash told PTI that all steps will be taken to ensure adequate supply of coronary stents for cardiac patients in the country. <br/><br/>There are reports of shortage of stents in hospitals after the government reduced their prices by up to 85% by capping rates of bare metal stents at 7,260 rupees and drug-eluting ones at 29,600 rupees on February 13. <br/><br/>National Pharmaceutical Pricing Authority (NPPA), Drug Controller General India (DCGI) as well as Health Ministry have been asked to ensure compliance of price capping and adequate availability of coronary stents in the market at the earliest. To implement the price cap, some manufacturers, distributors and importers are withdrawing cardiac stents from hospitals in the name of re-labelling, thereby creating an artificial shortage.