The Meghalaya State Price Monitoring and Resource Unit (MSPMRU) today organised a seminar on Regulation of Prices by National Pharmaceutical and Pricing Authority (NPPA) and Introduction to Pharma Sahi Daam in Mawkyrwat.
The programme focused on creating awareness to the pharmacist/shop owners of the retail and wholesale shops in South West Khasi Hills district regarding price monitoring of pharmaceutical products.
Block Development Officer, I. Lawriniang who attended the programme as chief guest highlighted about the Pharma Sahi Daam mobile application and said it aims to provide buyers with instant information regarding the prices of both scheduled and non-scheduled medicines at the time of purchase of medicines and also provides information about the prices of alternative brands of any medicines.
He emphasized the government’s efforts, facilitated by the NPPA, to establish a ceiling price for scheduled medicines, ensuring their availability at fair prices, and promoting the use of generic medicines.
The BDO also explained the existence of a red line on the medication strip which signifies that the medicine must not be consumed without a doctor’s prescription and he encouraged doctors to promote generic medications rather than prescribing branded medicines to patients.
Speaking about MSPMRU, Senior Drugs Inspector BC Kharsyntiew said that the unit established on February 1, 2023 will help licensees, and especially the consumers as its primary functions is to monitor drug pricing, ensure the availability and accessibility of medications at reasonable prices, and raise consumer awareness.
Field Investigator B. Nongrum gave a presentation on regulation of prices by NPPA and introduction to Pharma Sahi Daam, Drug Regulatory System in India, National Pharmaceutical and Pricing Authority (NPPA) functions and vision, drug price control order 2013, consumer awareness, publicity and price monitoring and others.