Doubts raised over online sales of medicines in Assam

STAFF REPORTER

GUWAHATI: The Joint Action Forum of Pharmaceutical Organizations (JAFPO) has expressed doubts over the online sales of drugs at around 30 per cent discount, when the industry gives a trade margin of 8 per cent to stockists and 18 per cent to retailers.

JAFPO convener Birendra Kumar Barman, also the president of the Association of Advanced Pharmacy Practitioners (AAPP), said, "A question automatically arises as to how online pharmacies can offer 30 per cent discount against 26 per cent trade margin. The people have the right to know the sources of procurement of the medicines at such huge discounts. People will think such attempts to lure customers may lead to the circulation of spurious and substandard medicines, posing a big challenge in healthcare. There are several cases of substandard and spurious medicines across the country. Such incidents came to light in Rajasthan, Ranchi and a few days back in the Nagaon district of Assam."

The JAFPO, comprising Chemists & Druggists' Association of Assam (CDAA), Centre of Medical & Sales Representative Union (North-East Region) (CRU-NER), AAPP, and Assam Pharmaceutical Association (APA) urged all concerned 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. The JAFPO had a detailed discussion on the issue at its meeting on June 6 last. It said the "online sale of medicine is an absolute violation of the Drugs & Cosmetic Act,1940, and Rule,1945."

Barman said, "The Indian Medical Association's (IMA) whitepaper published this year stated that it is a clear-cut violation of laws of the land and against the very foundation of medical ethics and spirit. The whitepaper stated that 'online pharmacies will promote drug abuse, misuse of drugs and self-medication. Any medication without the supervision of doctors may be dangerous and even potentially life-threatening'."

Barman also said, "The online sales of medicines have already captured approximately 13-14 per cent value-wise market share against the total Indian Pharma market of Rs 1.5 lakh crore. In urban Assam, online medicine sale has captured around four per cent of the market. It gives an indication about takeover or shift of pharmaceuticals into the hand of giant companies which seek to make profit by claiming so-called easy availability of medicines at the doorstep."

On medicine prices, Barman said, "We also appeal to the Central Government to reduce the prices of medicines. The Government should reduce the prices at the MRP level, rather than roll back the recent hike to the extent of 10 per cent of 800 medicines belonging to the National List of Essential Medicines (NLEM). Further, it should not allow such huge discounts to lure customers."

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