Abhishek Virkar

Exploring International Relations, Defense & Strategy | Science & Tech enthusiast | Startup ecosystem | Thinking at the intersection of power and innovation

[Tukaram Mundhe @Tukaram_IndIAS]

The most expensive part of a hospital bill may never touch the hospital at all.

A patient admitted for care has no way of knowing whether the price on a medical consumable reflects its actual cost or a markup fixed long before it ever reached the ward. That gap in information is, at its core, a public health issue.

A survey of hospital consumables in Maharashtra found an IV infusion set with a trade price of ₹11.05 carrying a printed MRP of ₹325 ; a markup of 2,841%. A syringe procured at ₹6.75 carried an MRP of ₹57.20. A catheter procured at ₹29.41 carried an MRP of ₹310.

These are not elective purchases. Patients cannot compare prices, seek alternatives, or question a number printed on a box while receiving care and the MRP itself is often fixed upstream by manufacturers and distributors, disconnected from the trade price by a wide, unexplained margin. The result is a system where the party bearing the cost has the least information to evaluate it.

The regulatory gap is structural: scheduled medicines are capped under the Drugs (Prices Control) Order, 2013. Most medical devices and consumables are not leaving both the pricing and the information around it almost entirely unmonitored.

A review of these findings and clear guidelines on the permissible gap between trade procurement price and declared MRP have been recommended to the Department of Pharmaceuticals and the NPPA ; a step toward closing not just a pricing gap, but the information gap patients are left to bear alone.

#PublicHealth #GoodGovernance #Leadership #TukaramMundhe

https://t.co/Ye9CVzr8qU

[Abhishek Virkar @abvirkar]

@vibhasjha1 It's been 10 years you shared your dream with us and your reason to come back to India. 10 years down the line it does resonate with us. will make a developed Nation in our respective fields however negativity is surrounding us. It may not be a perfect one but will give our best

[Abhishek Virkar @abvirkar]

@BJP4Maharashtra Amchya ghari nahi pohochala...10KM from Hadapsar Pune... Loni Kalbhor.

[Abhishek Virkar @abvirkar]

@metrorailpune चालायला रस्ते आहेत का? Cycle ट्रॅक वर two wheeler असतात... पुणेकरांना अक्कल शिकवू नका.. आपला काम करा आणि मेट्रो चे डबे वाढवा....

[Aditya Raj Kaul @AdityaRajKaul]

#BREAKING: Over 80 Pakistani Troops Killed, 18 Taken Hostage In Attack By Baloch Rebels | @NDTV Reportage on Massive Baloch Rebel attacks by BLA against Pakistan Army. https://t.co/t8neNtVqTO

[Narendra Modi @narendramodi]

Shri Ajit Pawar Ji was a leader of the people, having a strong grassroots level connect. He was widely respected as a hardworking personality at the forefront of serving the people of Maharashtra. His understanding of administrative matters and passion for empowering the poor and downtrodden were also noteworthy. His untimely demise is very shocking and saddening. Condolences to his family and countless admirers. Om Shanti.

[Abhishek Virkar @abvirkar]

@chatt16887 Unforgettable this is the reality of today.

[Abhishek Virkar @abvirkar]

This is significant considering the near collapse of NATO. EU will also explore the options to engage with China for Defence partnership.
#Greenland #Trump #EU

[Shashank Mattoo @MattooShashank]

Breaking: EU and India will sign a new defence partnership agreement, even as U.S.-Europe tensions rise

[Abhishek Virkar @abvirkar]

EU is trying to get a hold of Trump and counter his bullying tactics.
#Greenland #Trump #TradeWars

[NDTV @ndtv]

EU Parliament Freezes Approval Of US Trade Deal Over Trump's Greenland Threats

@vishnundtv

[Abhishek Virkar @abvirkar]

White house invites PM Modi to join the Board of Peace intended to bring the lasting peace in Gaza Conflict.
#Trump #BoardOfPeace

[Abhishek Virkar @abvirkar]

Macron @EmmanuelMacron Rejects the Trumps assertion over Greenland and makes a choice to protect the Sovereignty of Denmark over Greenland #Trump #Greenland

[Emmanuel Macron @EmmanuelMacron]

France is committed to the sovereignty and independence of nations, in Europe and elsewhere. This guides our choices. It underpins our commitment to the United Nations and to its Charter.

It is on this basis that we support, and will continue to support Ukraine and that we have built a coalition of the willing for a robust and lasting peace, to defend these principles and our security.

It is also on this basis that we decided to take part in the exercise organized by Denmark in Greenland. We fully assume this decision, because security in the Arctic and at the outer edges of our Europe is at stake.

No intimidation or threat will influence us—neither in Ukraine, nor in Greenland, nor anywhere else in the world when we are confronted with such situations.

Tariff threats are unacceptable and have no place in this context. Europeans will respond in a united and coordinated manner should they be confirmed. We will ensure that European sovereignty is upheld.

It is in this spirit that I will engage with our European partners.

[Abhishek Virkar @abvirkar]

@MEAIndia clarifies that BRICS Naval Exercise organized by south Africa is not regular exercise. India does participate in the official BRICS exercise that is IBSAMAR.
#BRICS

[Randhir Jaiswal @MEAIndia]

Our response to media queries regarding comments relating to India’s non-participation in a so-called ‘BRICS Naval Exercise’ ⬇️

🔗 https://t.co/OLcWvHDLCm

[Abhishek Virkar @abvirkar]

Republic day alert

[Sidhant Sibal @sidhant]

Breaking: The moment, Indian Coast Guard intercepted Pakistani fishing boat 'AL-MADINA' with 9 crew in Indian waters. The boat is currently under Indian custody.

[Abhishek Virkar @abvirkar]

EU President is the chief guest at the 77th Republic Day Celebration. India -EU set the deadline of 27 January to conclude the FTA. Significant in light of Trump hawkish stand on Greenland.

[Abhishek Virkar @abvirkar]

Iran Envoy @IranAmbIndia is confident of handling the crisis all by themselves. Let's wait and watch what is next and how US is trying to involve. #IranRevolution2026

[Abhishek Virkar @abvirkar]

Iran is diplomatically asking India to comment on US unilateralism. Warns about consequences that everyone has to face including India.
#IranProtests #trump

[Iran in India @Iran_in_India]

Unilateral actions by the United States against the existing global order — including the imposition of unfair tariffs and its withdrawal from 66 international institutions — have pushed the world toward a breakdown of global norms. Silence and inaction by countries do not mitigate these threats; they only intensify them. These policies will sooner or later affect all countries, regardless of their size or economic power.

[Dr. S. Jaishankar @DrSJaishankar]

Received a call from Iranian Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi. @araghchi

We discussed the evolving situation in and around Iran.

[Abhishek Virkar @abvirkar]

USA likely to strike Iran.#IranianRevolution2026 #Iran

[Sidhant Sibal @sidhant]

Breaking: Indian Embassy in Tehran asks its national to leave Iran

[Abhishek Virkar @abvirkar]

Iran is suppressing its own people by killing thousands of protesters. While total estimate is difficult but the mass killing is evident.
#IranMassacre #Iran #IranianRevolution2026 #IranProtests

[Abhishek Virkar @abvirkar]

Trump mocks Greenland says they have only 2 Dog sledges as defence.
Warned them to make a deal.
#Greenland