The Manipur Chemists and Druggists Association (MCDA) has voiced the All India Organization of Chemists and Druggists’ (AIOCD) concern over the Central government’s proposal to permit the sale of Over-The-Counter (OTC) drugs without a license in India.
A release jointly issued by MCDA president RK Rakesh Singh and MCDA general secretary Th Dijamani Singh mentioned the contents of the memorandum submitted by AIOCD to the Health Minister, principal Health Secretary, Drug controller General of India, Director General of Health Services, chairman of the National pharmaceutical Pricing Authority (NPPA) and other relevant authorities, highlighting the significant risks associated with the said proposal.
It asserted that AIOCD president JS Shinde and general scretary Rajiv Seighal had emphasized that such a move would contravene existing drug laws, pharmacy regulations and pertinent legal frameworks, including directives from the Supreme Court.
It maintained that allowing sale of unlicensed OTC drug poses serious threats, including but not limited to dangerous self-medication and drug abuse; absence of pharmacist consultation services; increased risk of adverse drug reactions; proliferation of counterfeit drugs; delayed access to healthcare services; higher incidence of diseases due to medication overdose; compromised standards of medication storage and inadequate pharmacovigilance measures.
It urged the government to consider the multifaceted implications of the proposal, emphasizing that unregulated availability of medications in general and grocery stores does not serve the best interests of society.
AIOCD, having a membership comprising 12.40 Lakh chemists across the nation, firmly opposes any measure that undermines the integrity of the healthcare system, it mentioned and also stressed the importance of consulting all relevant stakeholders, including AIOCD, in the formulation of regulations pertaining to the matter.
