PUNE: Chemists and pharmacists expect the emphasis on e-pharmacy should be reduced. The policy should be aimed at small chemists catering to patients on a day-to-day basis. They also demanded that the Drugs & Cosmetics Rules, 1945 should be amended to suit the current scenario.
Speaking to Sakal Times, Vijay Changediya of the Pune District Chemists Association said there is an urgent need to amend the Drugs & Cosmetics Rules, 1945.
“Under this rule, Schedule K drugs also need a prescription. When the rule was made, the number of pharmacies was less. Hence, the rule was relevant. But now, the scenario has changed.
Under Schedule K of the Drugs & Cosmetics Rules, only disinfectants can be sold without a retail licence. Hence, the Central government should amend it to be relevant to the current scenario,” said Changediya.
GST IN PHARMACY
Speaking to Sakal Times, Dattaprasad Tope, Joint Secretary of Maharashtra State Chemists & Druggists Association (MSCDA) said Goods and Service Tax (GST) is an unreal taxing system.
“The present 12 per cent to 18 per cent of taxing under GST is making medicines very expensive. This tax should be reduced so that expenses for consumers are reduced,” said Tope.
ONLINE PHARMACY
Tope said Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) in retail should be regulated by the new government, as it will impact small businesses.
Changediya said there is a need to regulate online pharmacies. They will directly impact employment opportunities for the youths coming in this field. Also, the unregulated supply of medicines through online portals is dangerous, said Changediya.
Echoing similar sentiments, Madan Patil, Organising Secretary of Maharashtra State Chemists Association said the greatest challenge the chemists and pharmacists face is of online pharmacies.
“It is a challenge for a lot of students to complete their diploma and Bachelor of Pharmacy degree every year. They intend to kick-start their profession by setting up chemist shops. That is the reason why there is a boost for small shops across the country, where a lot of patients seek medicine. But e-pharmacy or online pharmacy will kill this employment opportunity,” said Patil.
GENERIC DRUGS
Generic drugs are cheaper for patients but are not available everywhere. Chemists said doctors should compulsorily prescribe such drugs as the pharmacist can only sell the drug prescribed. “There are chances that consumers are given the wrong medicine, spurious medicine or in many cases medicines without prescription. There is no regulation by the Central government, which is the need of the hour,” said Patil.
He said, “Chemists support generic medicines. But we are unable to give it to patients as we can only give the drug, which is prescribed by doctors. Hence, the government should make more stringent rules to ensure that doctors prescribe generic medicines, which are cheaper and can help reduce the overall health expenses of the patient,” said Patil.
