http://www.pharmabiz.com/NewsDetails.aspx?aid=76286&sid=1
AIOCD to move SC against DPCO 2013 to contest margin cut for retailers, wholesalers
Shardul Nautiyal, Mumbai Thursday, July 04, 2013, 08:00 Hrs [IST]
The All India Organisation of Chemists and Druggists (AIOCD), representing nearly five lakh chemists across the country, will move Supreme Court against the DPCO 2013 as it believes that the new price order is irrational and not in the interests of the patients.The association is of the view that the new pricing policy notified by the department of pharmaceuticals (DoP) on May 15 this year, is not justified as it is not cost based and would benefit pharma manufacturers who produce low cost drugs. Besides, companies marketing big brands will increase the drug prices owing to the competitive environment.AIOCD general secretary, Suresh Gupta said, "Besides the revision of the new DPCO, we would file a plea before the Supreme Court to address our long pending demand since 1995 of revising margins on the 74 drugs which are still at 16 per cent and eight per cent for retailers and wholesalers respectively.
The pharma trade is bound to suffer more loss as the new pricing policy mandates further margin reduction of four per cent and two per cent respectively for retailers and wholesalers on 348 drugs as per new pricing regime.""The unanimous decision to move court was based on a resolution taken on 14 June, 2013 in a meeting of chemists from across the country when the first batch of price revisions on 151 drugs was announced by the National Pharmaceutical Pricing Authority (NPPA).
We also took up the matter with DoP secretary D S Kalha, but did not get a satisfactory answer," Gupta explained.The simple average formula is currently being contested in the Supreme Court by the All India Drug Action Network (AIDAN), a civil society group. AIOCD is further planning to take the case forward as intervenors in the case.According to the new pricing policy, the ceiling price will be based on the simple average of the prices of all brands of a drug that have a market share of at least one per cent. The national list of essential medicines lists 348 bulk drugs that are sold as 650 formulations. The new prices, fixed as per the DPCO formula, will come into effect within 45 days of the NPPA notification.
http://www.pharmabiz.com/NewsDetails.aspx?aid=76260&sid=1
Essential drug supply to Uttarakhand badly affected by adverse road conditions
Shardul Nautiyal, Mumbai Wednesday, July 03, 2013, 08:00 Hrs [IST]
Medicines worth more than Rs.14 lakh are lying dumped in flood hit areas of Rudraprayag and Srinagar Districts of Uttarakhand due to incessant rains and disconnected routes. Stocks of medicines include antibiotics, glucose, antipyretics and first aid kits that have not reached the victims of the nature's fury.According to a senior medical official from the state capital, shortage of essential medicines is a major issue which needs to be tackled strategically on a case to case basis. Dr R B Bhatt, chief medical officer, Dehradun said, "The task of distributing medicines to the affected parts of Uttarakhand is currently going on with the help of Central Medical Store Depot based in Dehradun."In order to address the need for life-saving medicines for the flood affected victims, medicines worth of about Rs.25 lakh were sourced from Faridabad, Ghaziabad, Aligarh and Lucknow Districts of Uttar Pradesh.
Informs D R Panthari, president, Uttarakhand Aushadhi Vyayasayi Mahansangh, "We have stocked medicines at Srinagar and Rudraprayag to be sent to remote areas of the worst hit Guptakashi, Gauchar and Joshimath areas of Chamoli District with the relief material but the task seems to be difficult with each passing day because crucial road links have been breached.""Though work is on to get the roads at least motorable, inclement weather and landslides are compounding the problem," he added.
It has been learnt that around eight trucks of medicines on a daily basis are being sent to the affected districts of Uttarakhand like Rudraprayag, Chamoli and Uttarkashi.Local population has been badly affected due to this as supply of food and medicines has become an uphill task for the authorities. Narrating the magnitude of the situation, a local resident from the area says, "The district administration, Indo Tibet Border Police (ITBP) and Indian Army at Rudraprayag and Gauchar are facing a lot of problem as the stretch ahead of Rudraprayag till Tilwara and further ahead to Chandrapuri is disconnected and hence supplying medicines to these areas which are located at high altitudes is a big challenge."
According to official reports, Out of 279 relief trucks that have reached the state from different parts of the country with medicines and relief material, 274 have been dispatched to affected districts.
http://www.pharmabiz.com/NewsDetails.aspx?aid=76233&sid=1
State govt to hold meet to set up panel for addressing chemists' woes
Our Bureau, Mumbai Tuesday, July 02, 2013, 08:00 Hrs [IST]
In order to address long pending issues related to hiring of full time qualified pharmacists among others, a meeting will be held on July 2 to discuss the modalities of constituting a committee under the chairmanship of Addl Chief Secretary Medical Education Anant Kulkarni as per the directives of the state government.The meeting aims at discussing issues festering since October 2012 related to demands of the chemists across Maharashtra. The meeting would decide the strength of the representation from the government, FDA and Chemist Association respectively. Anil Navandar, President, Maharashtra State Chemists' and Druggists' Association (MSCDA) said, "We look forward that our issues will be dealt in the interest of the public and in a practical way through proper implementation of the law of the land. We are facing the non - availability of qualified pharmacists despite the fact that there are over 1,30, 000 qualified pharmacists in Maharashtra."
http://www.pharmabiz.com/NewsDetails.aspx?aid=76135&sid=1
Maharashtra faces shortage of essential drugs as stand-off between FDA, traders continues
Sahrdul Nautiyal, Mumbai Wednesday, June 26, 2013, 08:00 Hrs [IST]
The lingering tussle between the Maharashtra FDA and the pharma traders in the state has resulted in the shortage of medicines in the market including drugs for diabetes, asthma, blood pressure, blood thinners, TB and those with digestive disorders as the stockists have stopped purchasing fresh stocks from the first week of June onwards.Some of the major drugs which are not available in the market include injection Huminsulin 50/50 (Insulin)), Lupisulin-R, Galvus Met (50+500), Metformin, Glimepiride, Vildagliptin (15 mg) and Kombiglyze XR for diabetes, Asthalin Inhaler for asthma, Stamlo Beta, Olmesartan and Atenolol for blood pressure and Rifampicin and AKT 4 for tuberculosis.
Sharing some information about the scenario, owner of a medical store in Thane on conditions of anonymity said, “At any given time, major outlets like ours have supplies of essential medicines to last for a month or two. There is at least a 30 per cent shortage of medicines in the city because of the new notification to regulate the prices of 150 new essential medicines."Echoing similar concern, Pankaj Shimpi, representative of Mira Road Chemist and Druggist Association informed, “We are falling short of life saving medicines because stockists have stopped purchasing medicines and the scenario would be more grave by the end of June.”The pharma traders in the state have been up in arms against the Maharashtra Food and Drugs Administration (FDA) ever since the government agency in early this year embarked on a state-wide crack down on chemist shops which operate without a qualified pharmacist.
The tussle between FDA and traders, including the stockists, took a turn for the worst when the FDA, as per Competition Commission of India's (CCI) order, started taking action against the pharma companies which refused to supply medicines to distributors who have not received NOC from the traders' association, All India Organisation of Druggists and Chemists (AIOCD).The traders are further angered over the new Drug Price Control Order (DPCO – 2013) which will reduce their profit margin in case of retail business from 20 to 16 per cent and in case of wholesale business from 10 to eight per cent. ankit joshi Jun 27, 2013 4:48 PM
Comments
there is a mistake in your post vildagliptin having 50 mg formulation but you publish 15 mg.
Sukhendu Patnaik Jun 26, 2013 11:25 AM The issue has been resolved since 25th June evening. This correspondent needs to update his information.
http://www.pharmabiz.com/NewsDetails.aspx?aid=76126&sid=2
Maharashtra CM convenes meeting to resolve issues between FDA and traders
Shardul Nautiyal, Mumbai Tuesday, June 25, 2013, 16:40 Hrs [IST]
Even as the Maharashtra FDA and the protesting pharma traders in the state could not find a solution to the issues even after several rounds of talks between them, state chief minister Prithviraj Chavan has convened a meeting in the late evening today to find a lasting solution to the issues faced by the traders including the issue of presence of qualified pharmacists in the pharmacy outlets.
Besides the chief minister, senior FDA officials, representatives from Maharashtra State Chemist and Druggist Association (MSCDA), Retail Druggist and Chemist Association (RDCA) and All India Organisation of Chemists and Druggists (AIOCD) will be part of the meeting today.
Anil Navandar, president, MSCDA said, "We would be surrendering the licenses if our demands are not fulfilled with a practical approach based on consensus and rationality."Besides the issue of misuse of Sec 18 A of Pharmacy Act by the state authorities to force manufacturers to supply medicines to unauthorised stockists, other pending issues which will be taken up in the meeting include strict actions against doctors who store medicines illegally and to form a committee for issuing guidelines related to suspension of licenses by the authorities with a practical approach.
http://www.pharmabiz.com/NewsDetails.aspx?aid=75986&sid=2
Maharashtra FDA lashes out at AIOCD for hiding facts & figures about CCI order from stakeholders
Our Bureau, Mumbai Monday, June 17, 2013, 13:25 Hrs [IST]
The Maharashtra Food and Drugs Administration (FDA) Commissioner Mahesh Zagade has lashed out at All India Organization of Chemists and Druggists (AIOCD) for hiding facts and figures about the recent order of Competition Commission of India (CCI) from the pharmacists, manufacturers, wholesalers and stockists. The CCI order mandates that patients health should not be endangered by curtailing the supply of 348 essential medicines.Zagade has also appealed to the Pharmacists not to resort to unfair practices thus affecting the consistent supply of medicines to healthcare institutions. This he emphasized based on his meeting with the manufacturers, who have been taken on board by the FDA in the wake of short supply of medicines due to cartelisation.According to the CCI order, there is no need to obtain NOC from AIOCD for the appointment of stockists and the pharmaceutical companies, stockists, wholesalers are at liberty to give discount to the customers. Besides, it will not be mandatory to give Product Information Service (PIS) charges and PIS services could be availed by manufacturers/ pharmaceutical firms on voluntary basis. The order also emphasizes that there should be no boycott of pharmaceutical companies."Unfair practice of not supplying the medicines by a handful of drug dealers should not be taken for granted as it is an offense under the Drug and Cosmetics (D&C) Act and DPCO 1995. These laws not only determine pricing but also mandate uninterrupted supply of medicines,” Zagade said.
He further said, "Unlike the business of garments and automobiles, drug trade is a business of life saving medicines to the patients and hence the manufacturing to retail pharma business cannot be allowed to be controlled by a handful of individuals."Considering the fact that more than 80 per cent of pharma business is owned by qualified pharmacists, Zagade said that the business and supply cannot be controlled by the remaining 20 per cent people who run their shops without a pharmacist and hence endanger patient life. The business has seen the cartelization of medicine trade over a period of 30 years, the recent fallout of which is that manufacturers are under a fear psychosis and are not able to supply medicines.He reiterated the fact that there is sufficient stock of medicines and anyone trying to sabotage the business will be penalized under the Essential Commodities (EC) Act and Essential Supplies and Maintenance Act (ESMA).
Speaking on recent arguments raised by the some pharmacists on the non-profitability of the business citing the new price policy, Zagade explained that pharma trade ensures 16 per cent profit to the chemists which no other business mandates under the law of the land.The FDA also claimed it has not been informed about any en masse surrendering of licenses by chemists and wholesalers. The PWA has submitted a memorandum to this effect to the state government, threatening to surrender their licenses by July 15.Zagade said if the chemists want to surrender their licenses, the FDA will accept them. "It will mean they are not fit to abide by the law and unable to operate legally," he added.
Comments
KUDOS SIRJI ,DEAR MR. ZHAGDE SIR , OUR MEMBERS SHOULD GET THE MONEY GIVEN FOR MSCDA PVT LTD COMPANY . WE WILL NEED YOUR HELP FOR THIS. CAN THERE BE ADD FROM DRUG OFFICE FOR COMMAN MAN DISCLOSING THE CCI DECISION. Husain Jun 19, 2013 6:41 PM Mahesh zagade sir you rock million thanx n salute 2 u... ARUN KUMAR MISHRA Jun 19, 2013 5:53 PM please read it &send your opinion Shashank Jun 18, 2013 10:44 PM
This is the fact and what Mr Zagade is doing I salute him as for many years AIOCD was collecting money from Pharmaceutical companies. AIOCD should be banned thrown out as for Pharma business companies put their investment by way of professiona people working and getting Prescriptions from docs and handful of AIOCD people are enjoying and dictating terms to pharma companies.Mr Zagade should also look into Doctors opening Pharma companies and prescribing that company products.
SURESH Jun 17, 2013 2:14 PM
KUDOS TO THE FDA COMMISIONER. HOPE OTHER STATE AUTHORITIES WILL TAKE NOTE AND ACT .THE ACTS OF THESE PEOPLE IS NOTHING BUT BHAIGIRI. CRORES ARE COLLECTED EVERY YAER UNDER DIFFRENT HEADS NO PROPER ACCOUNTING IS VAILABLE. THE CLAIM OF 7 LAC MEMBERS IS NOT SUBSTANTIATED AS THEIR BALANCE SHEET DOES NOT SHOW THE SUBSCRIPTION AMOUNT EQUAL TO THAT.MANU MANUFACTURERS ARE HAND IN GLOVE. A THROUGH PROBE BY A HIGH POWERED COMMITEE OR A JUDICIAL COMMISION COULD UNEARTH ALL THE WRONG DOINGS.
http://www.pharmabiz.com/NewsDetails.aspx?aid=75898&sid=1
Maharashtra FDA files FIRs against media channels for airing misleading ads
Shardul Nautiyal, Mumbai Thursday, June 13, 2013, 08:00 Hrs [IST]
The Maharashtra Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has filed First Information Reports (FIRs) against some of the prominent news channels for airing misleading advertisements about treatment through drugs related to weight loss, joint pain, impotency and height enhancement. Under the Drugs and Magic Remedies (Objectionable Advertisement) Act, those who are airing such misleading advertisements are punishable.
According to Kamlesh Shende, joint commissioner, Maharashtra FDA, the government has filed FIRs against media channels like Zee Business, Zee Marathi, Sahara Samay Mumbai, Zee TV, Sahara One, What's on India, P7 News, B4U Music and Colors for exhibiting misleading advertisements about treatment through drugs related to weight loss, joint pain, impotency and height enhancement.Shende further said that FIRs have been registered against Zee Business, Zee Marathi and Sahara Samay, Mumbai for advertising Power Prash to treat impotency; Zee TV and Sahara One for Sandhi Sudha Plus to treat joint pain; Color, What's on India and P7 News for Step Up Herbal Body Growth Formula as a remedy for height enhancement; B4U Music and Colors for Tummy Fit Slimming Oil as a therapy for weight reduction.
The State FDA has identified a total of 77 drugs with misleading claims through print and electronic media for the period 2012 to 2013. Under Sections 3(d), 3(b) and 4 of the Drugs and Magic Remedies (Objectionable Advertisement) Act, prosecution has been launched in 10 cases by the designated investigating officers, Shende said.He informed that 10 cases are sub-judice and four cases related to misleading newspapers advertisements under the Act have finally been zeroed in for conviction under different sections of the Act based on the investigations conducted by drug inspectors V A Kose and V S Singhvi."Manufacturers, news channels exhibiting the advertisement and the artists performing in the advertisement also fall under the purview of the act and are therefore booked under respective sections," Shende said.
Comment
Maharashtra FDA deserves appreciation but why other States are silent.How the Licensing Authorities in the country gave approval without verifying the clinical data about efficacy & safety.FDA should refer the case to Crime Department how the promoting Companies managed approval of the drug.If the Licensing Authority did not give permission for manufacturing such drugs,there is no question of the promotion through Electronic or Print Media.The Agency which has allowed the manufacturing should also be made accountable.
AIOCD to move SC against DPCO 2013 to contest margin cut for retailers, wholesalers
Shardul Nautiyal, Mumbai Thursday, July 04, 2013, 08:00 Hrs [IST]
The All India Organisation of Chemists and Druggists (AIOCD), representing nearly five lakh chemists across the country, will move Supreme Court against the DPCO 2013 as it believes that the new price order is irrational and not in the interests of the patients.The association is of the view that the new pricing policy notified by the department of pharmaceuticals (DoP) on May 15 this year, is not justified as it is not cost based and would benefit pharma manufacturers who produce low cost drugs. Besides, companies marketing big brands will increase the drug prices owing to the competitive environment.AIOCD general secretary, Suresh Gupta said, "Besides the revision of the new DPCO, we would file a plea before the Supreme Court to address our long pending demand since 1995 of revising margins on the 74 drugs which are still at 16 per cent and eight per cent for retailers and wholesalers respectively.
The pharma trade is bound to suffer more loss as the new pricing policy mandates further margin reduction of four per cent and two per cent respectively for retailers and wholesalers on 348 drugs as per new pricing regime.""The unanimous decision to move court was based on a resolution taken on 14 June, 2013 in a meeting of chemists from across the country when the first batch of price revisions on 151 drugs was announced by the National Pharmaceutical Pricing Authority (NPPA).
We also took up the matter with DoP secretary D S Kalha, but did not get a satisfactory answer," Gupta explained.The simple average formula is currently being contested in the Supreme Court by the All India Drug Action Network (AIDAN), a civil society group. AIOCD is further planning to take the case forward as intervenors in the case.According to the new pricing policy, the ceiling price will be based on the simple average of the prices of all brands of a drug that have a market share of at least one per cent. The national list of essential medicines lists 348 bulk drugs that are sold as 650 formulations. The new prices, fixed as per the DPCO formula, will come into effect within 45 days of the NPPA notification.
http://www.pharmabiz.com/NewsDetails.aspx?aid=76260&sid=1
Essential drug supply to Uttarakhand badly affected by adverse road conditions
Shardul Nautiyal, Mumbai Wednesday, July 03, 2013, 08:00 Hrs [IST]
Medicines worth more than Rs.14 lakh are lying dumped in flood hit areas of Rudraprayag and Srinagar Districts of Uttarakhand due to incessant rains and disconnected routes. Stocks of medicines include antibiotics, glucose, antipyretics and first aid kits that have not reached the victims of the nature's fury.According to a senior medical official from the state capital, shortage of essential medicines is a major issue which needs to be tackled strategically on a case to case basis. Dr R B Bhatt, chief medical officer, Dehradun said, "The task of distributing medicines to the affected parts of Uttarakhand is currently going on with the help of Central Medical Store Depot based in Dehradun."In order to address the need for life-saving medicines for the flood affected victims, medicines worth of about Rs.25 lakh were sourced from Faridabad, Ghaziabad, Aligarh and Lucknow Districts of Uttar Pradesh.
Informs D R Panthari, president, Uttarakhand Aushadhi Vyayasayi Mahansangh, "We have stocked medicines at Srinagar and Rudraprayag to be sent to remote areas of the worst hit Guptakashi, Gauchar and Joshimath areas of Chamoli District with the relief material but the task seems to be difficult with each passing day because crucial road links have been breached.""Though work is on to get the roads at least motorable, inclement weather and landslides are compounding the problem," he added.
It has been learnt that around eight trucks of medicines on a daily basis are being sent to the affected districts of Uttarakhand like Rudraprayag, Chamoli and Uttarkashi.Local population has been badly affected due to this as supply of food and medicines has become an uphill task for the authorities. Narrating the magnitude of the situation, a local resident from the area says, "The district administration, Indo Tibet Border Police (ITBP) and Indian Army at Rudraprayag and Gauchar are facing a lot of problem as the stretch ahead of Rudraprayag till Tilwara and further ahead to Chandrapuri is disconnected and hence supplying medicines to these areas which are located at high altitudes is a big challenge."
According to official reports, Out of 279 relief trucks that have reached the state from different parts of the country with medicines and relief material, 274 have been dispatched to affected districts.
http://www.pharmabiz.com/NewsDetails.aspx?aid=76233&sid=1
State govt to hold meet to set up panel for addressing chemists' woes
Our Bureau, Mumbai Tuesday, July 02, 2013, 08:00 Hrs [IST]
In order to address long pending issues related to hiring of full time qualified pharmacists among others, a meeting will be held on July 2 to discuss the modalities of constituting a committee under the chairmanship of Addl Chief Secretary Medical Education Anant Kulkarni as per the directives of the state government.The meeting aims at discussing issues festering since October 2012 related to demands of the chemists across Maharashtra. The meeting would decide the strength of the representation from the government, FDA and Chemist Association respectively. Anil Navandar, President, Maharashtra State Chemists' and Druggists' Association (MSCDA) said, "We look forward that our issues will be dealt in the interest of the public and in a practical way through proper implementation of the law of the land. We are facing the non - availability of qualified pharmacists despite the fact that there are over 1,30, 000 qualified pharmacists in Maharashtra."
http://www.pharmabiz.com/NewsDetails.aspx?aid=76135&sid=1
Maharashtra faces shortage of essential drugs as stand-off between FDA, traders continues
Sahrdul Nautiyal, Mumbai Wednesday, June 26, 2013, 08:00 Hrs [IST]
The lingering tussle between the Maharashtra FDA and the pharma traders in the state has resulted in the shortage of medicines in the market including drugs for diabetes, asthma, blood pressure, blood thinners, TB and those with digestive disorders as the stockists have stopped purchasing fresh stocks from the first week of June onwards.Some of the major drugs which are not available in the market include injection Huminsulin 50/50 (Insulin)), Lupisulin-R, Galvus Met (50+500), Metformin, Glimepiride, Vildagliptin (15 mg) and Kombiglyze XR for diabetes, Asthalin Inhaler for asthma, Stamlo Beta, Olmesartan and Atenolol for blood pressure and Rifampicin and AKT 4 for tuberculosis.
Sharing some information about the scenario, owner of a medical store in Thane on conditions of anonymity said, “At any given time, major outlets like ours have supplies of essential medicines to last for a month or two. There is at least a 30 per cent shortage of medicines in the city because of the new notification to regulate the prices of 150 new essential medicines."Echoing similar concern, Pankaj Shimpi, representative of Mira Road Chemist and Druggist Association informed, “We are falling short of life saving medicines because stockists have stopped purchasing medicines and the scenario would be more grave by the end of June.”The pharma traders in the state have been up in arms against the Maharashtra Food and Drugs Administration (FDA) ever since the government agency in early this year embarked on a state-wide crack down on chemist shops which operate without a qualified pharmacist.
The tussle between FDA and traders, including the stockists, took a turn for the worst when the FDA, as per Competition Commission of India's (CCI) order, started taking action against the pharma companies which refused to supply medicines to distributors who have not received NOC from the traders' association, All India Organisation of Druggists and Chemists (AIOCD).The traders are further angered over the new Drug Price Control Order (DPCO – 2013) which will reduce their profit margin in case of retail business from 20 to 16 per cent and in case of wholesale business from 10 to eight per cent. ankit joshi Jun 27, 2013 4:48 PM
Comments
there is a mistake in your post vildagliptin having 50 mg formulation but you publish 15 mg.
Sukhendu Patnaik Jun 26, 2013 11:25 AM The issue has been resolved since 25th June evening. This correspondent needs to update his information.
http://www.pharmabiz.com/NewsDetails.aspx?aid=76126&sid=2
Maharashtra CM convenes meeting to resolve issues between FDA and traders
Shardul Nautiyal, Mumbai Tuesday, June 25, 2013, 16:40 Hrs [IST]
Even as the Maharashtra FDA and the protesting pharma traders in the state could not find a solution to the issues even after several rounds of talks between them, state chief minister Prithviraj Chavan has convened a meeting in the late evening today to find a lasting solution to the issues faced by the traders including the issue of presence of qualified pharmacists in the pharmacy outlets.
Besides the chief minister, senior FDA officials, representatives from Maharashtra State Chemist and Druggist Association (MSCDA), Retail Druggist and Chemist Association (RDCA) and All India Organisation of Chemists and Druggists (AIOCD) will be part of the meeting today.
Anil Navandar, president, MSCDA said, "We would be surrendering the licenses if our demands are not fulfilled with a practical approach based on consensus and rationality."Besides the issue of misuse of Sec 18 A of Pharmacy Act by the state authorities to force manufacturers to supply medicines to unauthorised stockists, other pending issues which will be taken up in the meeting include strict actions against doctors who store medicines illegally and to form a committee for issuing guidelines related to suspension of licenses by the authorities with a practical approach.
http://www.pharmabiz.com/NewsDetails.aspx?aid=75986&sid=2
Maharashtra FDA lashes out at AIOCD for hiding facts & figures about CCI order from stakeholders
Our Bureau, Mumbai Monday, June 17, 2013, 13:25 Hrs [IST]
The Maharashtra Food and Drugs Administration (FDA) Commissioner Mahesh Zagade has lashed out at All India Organization of Chemists and Druggists (AIOCD) for hiding facts and figures about the recent order of Competition Commission of India (CCI) from the pharmacists, manufacturers, wholesalers and stockists. The CCI order mandates that patients health should not be endangered by curtailing the supply of 348 essential medicines.Zagade has also appealed to the Pharmacists not to resort to unfair practices thus affecting the consistent supply of medicines to healthcare institutions. This he emphasized based on his meeting with the manufacturers, who have been taken on board by the FDA in the wake of short supply of medicines due to cartelisation.According to the CCI order, there is no need to obtain NOC from AIOCD for the appointment of stockists and the pharmaceutical companies, stockists, wholesalers are at liberty to give discount to the customers. Besides, it will not be mandatory to give Product Information Service (PIS) charges and PIS services could be availed by manufacturers/ pharmaceutical firms on voluntary basis. The order also emphasizes that there should be no boycott of pharmaceutical companies."Unfair practice of not supplying the medicines by a handful of drug dealers should not be taken for granted as it is an offense under the Drug and Cosmetics (D&C) Act and DPCO 1995. These laws not only determine pricing but also mandate uninterrupted supply of medicines,” Zagade said.
He further said, "Unlike the business of garments and automobiles, drug trade is a business of life saving medicines to the patients and hence the manufacturing to retail pharma business cannot be allowed to be controlled by a handful of individuals."Considering the fact that more than 80 per cent of pharma business is owned by qualified pharmacists, Zagade said that the business and supply cannot be controlled by the remaining 20 per cent people who run their shops without a pharmacist and hence endanger patient life. The business has seen the cartelization of medicine trade over a period of 30 years, the recent fallout of which is that manufacturers are under a fear psychosis and are not able to supply medicines.He reiterated the fact that there is sufficient stock of medicines and anyone trying to sabotage the business will be penalized under the Essential Commodities (EC) Act and Essential Supplies and Maintenance Act (ESMA).
Speaking on recent arguments raised by the some pharmacists on the non-profitability of the business citing the new price policy, Zagade explained that pharma trade ensures 16 per cent profit to the chemists which no other business mandates under the law of the land.The FDA also claimed it has not been informed about any en masse surrendering of licenses by chemists and wholesalers. The PWA has submitted a memorandum to this effect to the state government, threatening to surrender their licenses by July 15.Zagade said if the chemists want to surrender their licenses, the FDA will accept them. "It will mean they are not fit to abide by the law and unable to operate legally," he added.
Comments
KUDOS SIRJI ,DEAR MR. ZHAGDE SIR , OUR MEMBERS SHOULD GET THE MONEY GIVEN FOR MSCDA PVT LTD COMPANY . WE WILL NEED YOUR HELP FOR THIS. CAN THERE BE ADD FROM DRUG OFFICE FOR COMMAN MAN DISCLOSING THE CCI DECISION. Husain Jun 19, 2013 6:41 PM Mahesh zagade sir you rock million thanx n salute 2 u... ARUN KUMAR MISHRA Jun 19, 2013 5:53 PM please read it &send your opinion Shashank Jun 18, 2013 10:44 PM
This is the fact and what Mr Zagade is doing I salute him as for many years AIOCD was collecting money from Pharmaceutical companies. AIOCD should be banned thrown out as for Pharma business companies put their investment by way of professiona people working and getting Prescriptions from docs and handful of AIOCD people are enjoying and dictating terms to pharma companies.Mr Zagade should also look into Doctors opening Pharma companies and prescribing that company products.
SURESH Jun 17, 2013 2:14 PM
KUDOS TO THE FDA COMMISIONER. HOPE OTHER STATE AUTHORITIES WILL TAKE NOTE AND ACT .THE ACTS OF THESE PEOPLE IS NOTHING BUT BHAIGIRI. CRORES ARE COLLECTED EVERY YAER UNDER DIFFRENT HEADS NO PROPER ACCOUNTING IS VAILABLE. THE CLAIM OF 7 LAC MEMBERS IS NOT SUBSTANTIATED AS THEIR BALANCE SHEET DOES NOT SHOW THE SUBSCRIPTION AMOUNT EQUAL TO THAT.MANU MANUFACTURERS ARE HAND IN GLOVE. A THROUGH PROBE BY A HIGH POWERED COMMITEE OR A JUDICIAL COMMISION COULD UNEARTH ALL THE WRONG DOINGS.
http://www.pharmabiz.com/NewsDetails.aspx?aid=75898&sid=1
Maharashtra FDA files FIRs against media channels for airing misleading ads
Shardul Nautiyal, Mumbai Thursday, June 13, 2013, 08:00 Hrs [IST]
The Maharashtra Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has filed First Information Reports (FIRs) against some of the prominent news channels for airing misleading advertisements about treatment through drugs related to weight loss, joint pain, impotency and height enhancement. Under the Drugs and Magic Remedies (Objectionable Advertisement) Act, those who are airing such misleading advertisements are punishable.
According to Kamlesh Shende, joint commissioner, Maharashtra FDA, the government has filed FIRs against media channels like Zee Business, Zee Marathi, Sahara Samay Mumbai, Zee TV, Sahara One, What's on India, P7 News, B4U Music and Colors for exhibiting misleading advertisements about treatment through drugs related to weight loss, joint pain, impotency and height enhancement.Shende further said that FIRs have been registered against Zee Business, Zee Marathi and Sahara Samay, Mumbai for advertising Power Prash to treat impotency; Zee TV and Sahara One for Sandhi Sudha Plus to treat joint pain; Color, What's on India and P7 News for Step Up Herbal Body Growth Formula as a remedy for height enhancement; B4U Music and Colors for Tummy Fit Slimming Oil as a therapy for weight reduction.
The State FDA has identified a total of 77 drugs with misleading claims through print and electronic media for the period 2012 to 2013. Under Sections 3(d), 3(b) and 4 of the Drugs and Magic Remedies (Objectionable Advertisement) Act, prosecution has been launched in 10 cases by the designated investigating officers, Shende said.He informed that 10 cases are sub-judice and four cases related to misleading newspapers advertisements under the Act have finally been zeroed in for conviction under different sections of the Act based on the investigations conducted by drug inspectors V A Kose and V S Singhvi."Manufacturers, news channels exhibiting the advertisement and the artists performing in the advertisement also fall under the purview of the act and are therefore booked under respective sections," Shende said.
Comment
Maharashtra FDA deserves appreciation but why other States are silent.How the Licensing Authorities in the country gave approval without verifying the clinical data about efficacy & safety.FDA should refer the case to Crime Department how the promoting Companies managed approval of the drug.If the Licensing Authority did not give permission for manufacturing such drugs,there is no question of the promotion through Electronic or Print Media.The Agency which has allowed the manufacturing should also be made accountable.
2 comments:
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