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Throughout history there have been many instances of governments wanting to control prices. In most of these instances, the often-well-intentioned price control has inadvertently hurt access or at least brought down the quality of the sector. The attempt to control prices of medical services is not new. It dates back to several millennia. The first medical technology was Religion. Beca...

In an exclusive interview with Arunima Rajan, Pavan Choudary, Chairman of the Medical Technology Association of India (MTaI), discusses the pricing framework for medical devices, shedding light on its critical aspects and implications for the industry. What are the key considerations or factors that the NPPA should take into account while developing the new pricing framework for medical devices?...

Let us attempt to answer this question by looking at how the three determinants of socio-political existence, Wealth, Power and Status are configured today and how these could motivate individuals and groups to vote in 2024. Wealth: For the last 3,000 years of recorded history the world has swung between concentration of wealth and dispersion of wealth. Capitalism concentrates wealth due...

Before the likes of Modi and Kejriwal came on the scene, it was felt that in Indian politics the meek will continue to inherit the world. The genuflectors will be crowned. Note how those in the prime-ministerial fray bowed to the powers that be. Except Rajiv Gandhi who came on a sympathy wave, every prime ministerial aspirant stooped to ascend. Indira Gandhi too was known as the Goongi Gudia (mute...

The Medici business family of Italy rose to prominence in the 14th and 15th century. They were well known for their banking prowess and are also credited for funding the renaissance in Italy through their patronage of art and philosophy. But the Medician patronage of the arts was not random. It was thoughtful and targeted. Medici wanted to use art to advance the society. Several philosop...

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Machiavelli said, “the ruler’s virtuous actions can also bring harm”. He cites the example of Pertinax, the Roman emperor who after taking over from his predecessor Commodus, mandated his soldiers to live an honest and Spartan life. These soldiers were accustomed to living licentiously under Commodus. They started hating Pertinax for withdrawing their privileges and he was overthrown and assassina...

Why did Narendra Modi allegedly allow horse-trading overtures in Karnataka though he swears to uproot corruption from public life? Which is part of a bigger question: Why don’t political leaders keep their promises? This phenomenon is best enunciated by Machiavelli in his seminal work Discourses on Livy, where he compares how the dilettante politician recognises the impracticality of the pro...

The last I wrote of my expectations from the PM was for his Independence Day speech. Some of the wishes I put forth must have been on his agenda as well, as I see some spur on these. Thought I must come up with the next set of asks from my PM on 69th Republic Day of India. So, for his consideration, here is my take on the top five areas he could focus on: 1. Avoid drastic interventions in Bu...