GUWAHATI:
The Joint Action Forum of Pharmaceutical Organisations (JAFPO), a conglomeration of four chemist and druggist associations from the Northeast, on June 11, urged the Centre to roll back the online pharmacy policy in the country, alleging misuse of the e-commerce landscape.
JACFO alleged that online pharmacies are conducting business practices in contravention of provisions of The Drug & Cosmetics Act, 1940 and are operating at rock bottom prices with 30 per cent – 40 per cent discount and free shipping. It, along with Centre of Medical & Sales Representative Union, (Northeast Region) Association of Advanced Pharmacy Practitioners and Assam Pharmaceutical Association urged the Central government to take note of the development of the sale of medicines through online mode as well as enhancement of medicine prices in the recent period.
“We appeal to the Central government to reduce the prices of medicines, which is now going beyond the reach of the people. The government should reduce the prices at the MRP level, rather roll back the recent hike to the extent of 10 per cent on 800 medicines belonging to the National List of Essential Medicines (NLEM),” said PC Sarmah, president of Assam Pharmaceutical Association, while addressing a press conference at the Guwahati Press Club.
“Further it should not allow such huge discounts to lure customers. The discount of medicines should not be like other commodities. In providing proper healthcare, medicine being the vital component, there needs to be a responsible approach on price issues from the National Pharmaceutical Pricing Authority (NPPA). There should be a restriction on the quantum of discount and rates to be decided at the national level to curb unfair trade practices. Any benefit in the form of a discount should be available on a uniform basis to all the people in general.
Sarma said the cost of medicines can be reduced if the Central government considers either reduction of the GST rate or its abolition, like the recent reduction of petrol, diesel prices. Self-reliant Bulk drug & Active Pharmaceutical Ingredient (API) production can help significantly in reducing the prices, this will then match the Atma Nirbhar objectives.
Urging people not to support such practices, Sarma said, “We also appeal to the people not to fall into the trap of big online vendors for the interest of healthcare and people’s health in general and to start awareness activities.”
Netmeds, PharmEasy, Apollo, Marg, Reliance, Amazon, Flipkart, KEIMED LIMITED, Ankamed, Esquare, EasySol, and Uddan are the big giants that have become bulk buyers of pharma companies, and several players are in the market causing a big threat to the safe, effective and rational use of such medicines. The online sale has already captured approximately 15000 crore which is 13-14 per cent value-wise market share against the total Indian pharma market of 1.5 lakh crore.
“This gives an indication about take-over or shift of pharmaceuticals in the hand of a big giant for the sake of profit by claiming so-called easy availability of medicines at the doorstep. The existing supply chain is quite capable of delivering the pharmaceutical and life-saving medicines to every nook and corner of the country and doing it even in a pandemic situation,” Sarma said.
In conclusion, he said the most alarming situation that has been created by ignoring the law of the land, is the slow vanishing of a large number of small retail pharmacies/chemists.