The newly-elected office-bearers of the Utkal Chemists’ and Druggists’ Association (UCDA) on Sunday opposed the new Central Government policy on the ground that it is adversely affecting profits of traders and wholesalers.
“Following a Supreme Court order, the Union Health Ministry and Chemical and Petrochemicals Ministry have jointly prepared a National list of Essential Medicines (NlEM) in which 348 molecules are included. The National Pharmaceutical Pricing Authority (NPPA) has revised the MRPs (minimum retail prices) of the 348 molecules that are affecting the profits of retailers and wholesalers,” said UCDA general secretary Prabir Kumar Das here at a Press conference.
“Even though the Centre has relaxed a total of Rs 3,600 crore on MRP on these medicines for general consumers, we are the end sufferers losing Rs 3,400 crore from our margin for the purpose annually. Hence, the Government should bear our losses, said Das.
“Earlier, chemists had a 20-per cent margin on all sales, but the new drug policy has reduced the margin by around six per cent, which adversely affects us,” said Das.
“The Government’s policy to provide medicines to consumers at cheaper prices is a welcome step, but it should not be done by reducing profits of traders,” said UCDA president Prasanta Mohapatra, urging the Union Government to protect the margins of the chemists’ fraternity.