Chemists in the city are irked and planning to boycott the auction of chemist shop No. 2 at the Old Shopping Complex, as the Post Graduate Institute of Medical Education and Research has floated a tender with a 50 per cent discount on medicine as a clause in it.
Tenders have been invited by PGI, where the firm that offers maximum discount on all medicines will be given the tender. However, the discount must be at least 50 per cent. Bids quoting less than 50 per cent discount shall be rejected. The last date of submission of tender is December 6.
As per the clause of the tender, the licensee must provide medicines and other surgical and consumables to patients with valid prescription by the doctors at a minimum of 50 per cent discount on the maximum retail price mentioned. However, the licensee will be free to offer more discount.
However, members of Chandigarh Chemist Association are not happy with this decision and they are planning to knock the door of the High Court to sort out the matter. According to the members of the association it is not feasible to provide 50 per cent discount, when the total commission is around 15 per cent.
The 530 members association is planning to meet the Drug Controller General of India and bring the issue before him. Khem Gupta, CCA head said that by taking such a step PGI might trigger the sale of counterfeit drugs.
On the other hand, Chetan Rao, DDA PGI said, “We are following the footsteps of All India Institute of Medical Sciences, Delhi where all the pharmacies are operating round the clock providing around 56 per cent discount on MRP for the products they sell.”
Rao added that earlier PGI leased out shops in its premises after the licensee entered into an agreement wherein they were to provide 15 per cent discount on branded drugs and around 30 per cent discount on generic drugs.