Pharma firms must set realistic targets
The chemists association has written to pharmaceutical companies to not set unethical targets for drug sales, which is resulting in excessive quantities of medicines being dumped in the market.
This practice is seen in drugs for cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, antibiotics for fungal infections, pain medication, steroids and supplements. Besides, there is a range of protein packs, juices to prevent diabetes, reduce obesity and energy supplements to deal with fatigue.
Mr Ramesh Gupta, a senior chemist and stockist in the city, said sales personnel were tying up with distributors and excess stocks are being procured from the 20th to 30th of every month.
“The distributor is pressurising the retail chain to sell these products. If a customer comes for one medicine, there are two other supplements or vitamins that they are given to deal with the problem. In this way, the market is being managed with excess stocks,” Mr Gupta said.
The association has asked pharmaceutical companies to have realistic targets and flood the market with medicines.
Pharmacist S.P. Chaudhary said, “We see a lot of products which are dumped in the periphery of the city. This is done by having small camps in residential colonies where health supplements are propagated. There is no control and no checks are carried out.”
A senior drug controller on condition of anonymity explained, “There is ambiguity in the case of health supplements. Whether it is medicine or non-medicine has to be decided by the Centre. People have to be alert before taking any of these supplements.”
Patients suffering from hypertension, diabetes and other chronic disorders purchase medicines only after consulting
■ THE PRACTICE of dumping drugs is seen in drugs for cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, antibiotics for fungal infections, pain medication, steroids and supplements.
■ MR RAMESH Gupta, a senior chemist and stockist in the city, said sales personnel were tying up with distributors and excess stocks are being procured from the 20th to 30th of every month.
■ THE DOCTORS said that often doctors prescribe certain medications based on their chemical combinations.
■ FOR DIABETES and hypertension, medications need to be changed from time to time due to the side effects. This is done as a part of the treatment which is a protocol their doctors but it is alleged that there is pressure exerted to push certain medicines.
A senior doctor seemed to suggest that there were other reasons as well. “A lot of diagnosis is being done, and the incidence of disease is high. Medicines are being supplied for these, because of which there is no major shortage.”
The doctors said that often doctors prescribe certain medications based on their chemical combinations. For hypertension and diabetes, medications need to be changed from time to time due to the side effects. This is done as a part of the treatment which is a protocol, he said. “If there is anyone pushing medicines on their patients, they would be very few.”