The Jharkhand Chemists and Druggists Association (JCDA) took a tough stand on Government’s decision to regulate pricing of drugs and thereby reducing the profit margin of the retailers. In a conference, the association discussed all issues pertaining to pricing and policies and threatened to take the battle to court unless Government deregulates prices of schedule as well as non-schedule drugs.
Reacting to the Government’s decision of price regulation, AK Sinha, general secretary JDCA said, “We will take the matter to court if it is not resolved by the government.” Invoking the section of Drug Price Control Order of Drug & Cosmetics Act, 1940, government has brought as many as 74 schedule drugs and 348 other drugs under regulation. Significantly, prices of the drugs under regulation will be government’s prerogative.
The association accused the companies of using the Act for maximizing its profit while curtailing the retailers’ margin. “We will not allow this to happen. Companies who are misusing this Act will get befitting reply,” maintained Sinha.