Pharmacists around the country have deferred their decision of not selling narcotic and psychotropic drugs till February 25, following a joint meeting of various industry associations with the Narcotics Control Bureau today. They had earlier decided to begin the boycott from Friday.
Representatives of the All-India Organisation of Druggists and Chemists, Indian Drug Manufacturers Association, Indian Pharmaceutical Alliance and Organisation of Pharmaceutical Producers of India held a meeting with the narcotics bureau to apprise it of the practical difficulties in following the procedures under the existing law.
"We have demanded that the government should either amend Rule 67 or limit the regulation of these drugs under the Drugs and Cosmetics Act. We have postponed the stir following an assurance from the government," said Sandeep Nangia, president, Retailers and Distributors Chemists Association of NCT of Delhi.
The decision of the wholesalers not to buy drugs that come under the narcotic drugs Act from manufacturers has already led to a shortage in the market. The stir will lead to 4,000 brands of narcotic and psychotropic drugs disappearing from shelves.
These bring a business of about Rs 1,500 crore (Rs 15 billion) to the pharmaceuticals industry. No less than 40 leading companies, including Ranbaxy, Cipla, Cadila, Torrent Pharmaceuticals, Sun Pharma and Unichem Laboratories, have a basket of drugs in this category.
Meanwhile, the government has started a consultation process to amend the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act, 1985.
The revenue department on Thursday called a meeting of various departments, including home and chemicals, to resolve the impasse. Another meeting has been scheduled for Friday.
"The matter is high-priority. At present, there are tedious book keeping rules under the Act. The department is trying to work out ways of simplifying the procedures," an official said.
At present, the rule requires that for each formulation a dealer has to prepare a form in triplicate and send two copies with dispatch and retain one acknowledged copy for two years.
"There are 4,000 brands in this category. It is impossible to follow such tedious procedures. Moreover, the retail chemist has to keep a record of such prescriptions and sales under the Drug and Cosmetic Act," JS Shinde, general secretary, AIOCD, said.
The pharmacists have also urged Finance Minister P Chidambaram to diffuse the crisis. In a letter addressed to SS Palanimanikkam, minister of state (revenue), the AIOCD has listed the practical difficulties being faced under the existing Act and suggested appropriate amendments.
