Crackdown on overcharging for key drugs

In a bid to check sale of important medicines above their maximum retail price, the state government has ordered a crackdown against such outlets selling essential medicines above their specified MRP across Uttar Pradesh.

The state government has ordered all district magistrates to keep a watch on sale of these important drugs and take action against any establishment overcharging customers in violation of The Drug (Prices Control) Order-2013. The DPCO-2013 empowers the National Pharmaceutical Pricing Authority (NPPA) to regulate prices of 348 essential drugs.

Principal secretary, food safety and drug administration (FSDA), UP Hemant Rao in his order dated May 12, 2017 has asked the DMs to ensure that the sale of the medicines were as per the set guidelines of The Drug (Prices Control) Order-2013 and undertake time to time inspections of establishments to enforce them in an effective manner.

Copies of the order have also been sent to commissioner (FSDA), UP, all divisional commissioners as well as drug inspectors across the state.

The order comes close on heels of Prime Minister Narendra Modi making it known that his government proposes to bring in a law to push doctors to prescribe generic medicines and the Yogi Adityanath government also announcing plans to open “Jan Aushadhi” stores in every district of the state in order to provide quality generic medicines to the people at cheaper rates.

The CM recently instructed officials of the state health department, for opening of 3000 generic medicine stores in the state.