Stent manufacturers have assured the government that the supply of the medical device will be maintained and no shortage will be allowed. The government held a meeting with the stent makers and importers to review its availability in market in New Delhi. <br/><br/>The meeting came in the backdrop of reports about artificial scarcity of stents in the garb of withdrawing the device for price relabeling. An official in the department of pharmaceuticals said, it was decided that a separate meeting with associations and bodies of hospitals will be called with the assistance of health secretary to sensitise the hospitals also if required. <br/><br/>There are reports about shortages of stents in hospitals after the government reduced their prices by up to 85 per cent by capping rates of bare metal stents at 7,260 rupees and drug-eluting ones at 29,600 rupees on 13th of this month. <br/><br/>He said, government is keeping an eye on all those who are engaging in unethical practices such as creating artificial shortage of stents and not abiding by the fixed ceiling price. The official said, strict action will be taken against them. <br/><br/>The Department of Pharmaceuticals has already written separately to National Pharmaceutical Pricing Authority, Drug Controller General of India and Health Ministry requesting them to take necessary action to curb artificial shortage.