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NPPA rolls back proposal on display of distinguishing mark & ceiling prices of scheduled drugs on labels
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Ramesh Shankar, Mumbai
February 17 , 2015
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Due to stiff opposition from the industry, the National Pharmaceutical
Pricing Authority (NPPA) has rolled back its earlier proposal for
display of distinguishing mark and ceiling prices of scheduled drugs on
the label of the drugs, to make consumers aware about the ceiling prices
of controlled drugs as notified by the NPPA from time to time.
In
view of the opposition from the industry, the NPPA has now proposed to
make use of the existing reporting obligations of manufacturers as well
as existing price list display obligations of dealers (including
retailers) under the DPCO, 2013 for this purpose. Under DPCO, 2013 every
manufacturer is required to issue a price list in Form V to all dealers
(including retailers) dealing with their product(s), state drug
controllers and the Government/NPPA in respect of both scheduled and
non-scheduled drug formulations, both own-manufacturered and those
purchased or imported from others, along with medicine composition, pack
size, price to the retailers (PTR including excise duty) and MRP (which
is inclusive of local taxes).
Therefore, the same information
can be used at the retail level while issuing invoice to the consumer.
In this regard, it is suggested that, apart from mentioning the name of
the medicine, pack size and price, the invoice should also mention
whether it is a scheduled or non-scheduled medicine under DPCO 2013
(this information is to be disclosed in the price list in Form V), and
if it is a scheduled medicine, it should also mention the current
notified ceiling price per unit (which is exclusive of local taxes).
This would enable the consumer to know whether the medicine purchased by
him is a scheduled medicine or non-scheduled medicine and in case it is
a scheduled medicine he can see verify whether the MRP is within or
exceeding the ceiling price plus applicable local taxes; and in case of
the latter, he can file a complaint with NPPA for initiating necessary
action against all concerned under DPCO 2013 and the Essential
Commodities Act, 1955. The consumer will also know that it is under
NLEM, which covers medicines that are clinically-effective as well as
cost-effective, the NPPA said.
The NPPA further said that it
will pursue the above mentioned option in place of the earlier proposed
option of special marking, and will hold a meeting with the
pharmaceutical trade associations for finalising the modalities for its
early implementation.
“It is sincerely believed that this
approach would not only strike a balance between ease of implementation
for the industry and consumer education, but also help in effective
implementation of DPCO, 2013, empower the consumer, and protect consumer
interest through a robust information dissemination mechanism duly
supported by an online consumer grievance redressal system for
complaints relating to price and availability of medicines”, the NPPPA
said.
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