Cost component analysis for prostheses components supply:

The final cost of prostheses for end users in LMICs are estimated between 30 per cent to greater than 115 per cent of ex-factory costs, primarily driven by transportation costs and import taxes. In addition to these mark-ups during product procurement, the service fees associated with prostheses fittings are another key factor influencing the final price paid by the customer.

The ICRC estimates that the service cost is the largest component of the entire process and could further increase the product cost by an additional 100 per cent. In terms

of the service cost, one prosthetic care company indicated that the labour cost of the certified prosthetist is one of the most significant components. The limited availability of certified prosthetists is a major cause of restricted access to prosthetic care worldwide.

Table 15: Cost component for prostheses component supply27

Cost Component Lower estimate Higher estimate
Taxes and duties: import duty/custom tax/VAT 0 per cent 45 per cent
Shipment, inventory and in-country transport cost 25 per cent 40 per cent
Distributor and retailer margin 5 per cent >30 per cent
Additional cost 30 per cent >115 per cent

27.The data were collected and consolidated from multiple international NGOs that import prostheses. ↩︎

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