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Drug ban throws chemists into a tizzy
Following the Health Ministry banning 344 ‘Fixed Dose Combination’ drugs leading to an immediate suspension of the manufacturing and sale of medicines, the chemists in Hyderabad hit the panic button. Pharmacists fear that they would soon go out of business if sufficient time is not given to them before the implementation of the ban.
Hyderabad: Following the Health Ministry banning 344 ‘Fixed Dose Combination’ drugs leading to an immediate suspension of the manufacturing and sale of medicines, the chemists in Hyderabad hit the panic button. Pharmacists fear that they would soon go out of business if sufficient time is not given to them before the implementation of the ban.
- Distributors want companies to take back stocks
- Chemists fear raids by drug inspectors
- Demand at least 45 days time to clear stock
On Wednesday, Greater Hyderabad Retail Medical Shops Association (GHRMSA) president Ranga Ravinder Gupta said, “The association is ready to comply with the ban but the department needs to set a proper time frame and see that the chemists do not suffer.”
One of the major concerns of the chemists is what will they do with the medicine stock which fall in the banned list. “The distributors will not take back stocks and there is no clarity on the tablets being sold loose. Nearly 50 per cent of the medicines in medical shops are in the banned list,” said Gupta.
Five most common drugs that are sold across the counter which are on the banned list include Pioglitazone for sugar patients, Ambrodil for cough, Vicks Action 500 Extra, popular cough syrup Corex, Vicoril, Cinaryl and Cinarest. It is estimated that in every medical store almost 50 per cent of the stock consists of the banned drug compositions.
A Sridhar, treasurer of GHRMSA opines, “The government has to set a realistic target of 45 days for the return of stock. The Drug Control Administration needs to go slow and not to go on a witch-hunt against pharmacists with drug inspectors raiding their stores.”
Small-time medical shop owners fear that they would be out of business if the ban is not implemented in a phased manner. Ramesh Chandra Gupta, president, Telangana Chemists and Druggists Association says, “Enough time needs to be given for companies to prepare a detailed list and issue circulars.
Unless manufacturers give a letter it would be difficult to pull back stocks.” In the meanwhile, several medical shop owners are jittery on the prospect of drug inspectors’ raids. D Sudhakar of Sai Pooja Medical Hall at Sitafalmandi says, “After separating the banned drugs we are left with just 40 per cent medicines. The government should make it mandatory for distributors and companies to take back stocks.”
Pharmacists say that each formula is manufactured by several companies, it is highly impossible to make a list. Akun Sabarwal, director, DCA, Telangana, however says, “The Pharmacists and Chemists Association was given a list of banned drugs along with brand names and it is put up on the website.
The list along with brand name is clearly mentioned in the http://www.dca.telangana.gov.in/ website. Only three companies Intas Pharmaceuticals Ltd, Us Vitamins Ltd based out of Navi Mumbai and Pentar Pharma sent a list of banned drugs.
By:T P Venu/ B Anjaiah
