Drug freebies benefit hospitals, traders, not patients: Chemists

Koppal: Pharmaceutical companies’ ‘buy 1 get 1 free’ offers are benefiting hospitals and large traders rather than patients, the Federation of Chemist and Druggists of Karnataka has alleged. It has sought clear rules to ensure that consumers receive the benefits of such schemes.In a representation to the Drugs Controller General of India (DCGI), National Pharmaceutical Pricing Authority (NPPA), Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation (CDSCO) and other drug regulators, federation president Ashokswamy Heroor, in Gangavathi, sought clarification on how free medicines should be accounted for under the Drugs Prices Control Order (DPCO), 2013.The federation cited schemes such as Mankind’s Kit (one plus four free), Manforce (one plus seven strips free) and Prega News (one plus two free). It also cited Zydus’s Penegra (one plus one free), Abbott’s Fincef injections (10 plus 12 or 14 free) and Alkem’s Xone injections (10 plus 26 free).The key question, Heroor said, was whether the landing price should be calculated by averaging the cost of purchased and free medicines or whether the additional units should be supplied to patients free of charge. He alleged that hospitals and large traders retain the benefits of these offers, leaving patients without any relief.The federation also flagged medicines carrying steeply inflated maximum retail prices (MRPs) despite being supplied to retailers at low rates. It cited injections with a price to retailer (PTR) of Rs 30 but an MRP of Rs 312.4, and protein powders costing Rs 10-20 were allegedly marked at up to Rs 300.Such pricing allows chain stores to offer steep discounts, putting traditional medical stores at a disadvantage, the federation said. It sought an investigation into the practice and urged pharmaceutical manufacturers to lower MRPs and follow ethical business practices.The representation also alleged that pricing irregularities had increased since DPCO-2013 came into force. It urged drug control officers to examine Form-5 documents to verify compliance with the provisions governing maximum allowable post-manufacturing expenses (MAPE).The federation welcomed the Karnataka Food Safety and Drugs Administration Department’s Oct 1 circular directing hospitals, distributors, carrying and forwarding agents, stockists and traders to display landing/base prices and MRPs on bills. The directive is to be implemented from Nov 1, 2026.It sought strict enforcement of the circular, immediate revival of the dissolved DPCO Cell and restriction of the Licensing Authority’s powers to the Additional Drug Controller level. The federation also called for a special force headed by an IPS cadre officer to tackle spurious drugs.Stay updated with the latest Hubballi news. Download the TOI App.