Can medicines be sold at discount like clothes, chemists ask drugs controller

BENGALURU: Chemists in Karnataka have raised pertinent questions before the health ministry and the drugs controller, following advertisements issued by online drug portals in media offering discounts.

The advertisements are being seen in newspapers and heard on FM radio, even as some pharmacies in the city are flaunting boards offering discounts up to 20%.

Though the rulebook does not permit discounts in drug sales, the government is yet to wake up to the same. Contemplating filing a public interest litigation in the matter, the chemists have even written to the government, asking, “Is it permissible to advertise a pharma brand or offer discounts on medicines? Does the Drugs and Cosmetic Act allow promotion of drug brands?”

The Suvarna Karnataka Chemists and Distributors Association has asked the government whether the Drugs and Cosmetics Act 1940 and Rules 1945 permit advertisements offering discounts in sale of medicines through websites.

Prior to this, members of Bruhat Bengaluru Chemists and Druggists Association had met the health minister in June and submitted a memorandum to him about the same. “Through ads and offering of huge discounts, certain online portals are inducing the public into buying medicines from them. Can drugs be sold like clothes? This is nothing but an unethical trade practice,” said M K Mayanna, president of the association.

While the office of the state drugs controller has not yet replied to the chemists’ letters, a senior officer in the authority said rebates can be offered on drugs. Chemists have opposed this, saying the department should reply to them in writing stating the same.

“Ads appearing in media on the discounts offered on drugs are a clear violation of the Drugs and Cosmetics Act. They also carry taglines like ‘genuine medicine’ and ‘quality assured’. Does that mean that the rest of the medicines are not genuine and lack quality? The drugs controller’s office should crack down on these ads and remove such boards. We have not received any response to our letters yet,” said V Hari Krishnan, president, Suvarna Karnataka Chemists and Distributors Association.

No drugs controller in state for 4 months

The BK Pavitra v/s Union of India case led to undoing of promotions for many officers from the SC/ST community, including some doctors. BT Khanapure, who was the drugs controller of Karnataka, was also demoted. Since then, the state doesn’t have an acting drugs controller. “Though the government has deputed another officer as in-charge drugs controller, there are many activities that have been held up,” say sources.