Shillong, Aug 2: A one day seminar on regulation of medicine prices by National Pharmaceutical Pricing Authority (NPPA) was held for pharmacists, retail and wholesale shop owners of Eastern West Khasi Hills district yesterday at the conference hall of the Tirot Sing Memorial Hospital.
The primary objective of the seminar is to educate pharmacists and medicine retailers from across the district about the government’s regulation of maximum retail price (MRP) for medicines, ensuring that pharmaceutical companies and retailers do not arbitrarily hike prices.
Presentations were made on the aim of the NPPA, which play a crucial role in ensuring the availability and accessibility of medicines at affordable prices and on how Pharma Sahi Daam and Pharma Jan Samadhan platforms for information on medicine prices and registering public grievances are administered by NPPA.
Additionally, the Pharma Sahi Daam App, designed to promote transparency and affordability in the pharmaceutical sector was introduced. The app is to enable people to check medicine prices and lodge complaints if pharmacies overcharge.
Additional Deputy Commissioner M. Diengdoh highlighted the district’s consistent efforts in monitoring the functioning of pharmacies. He emphasized that regular inspections conducted by the health teams ensures compliance and improves health care delivery, where such inspections, he said, are crucial for safeguarding public health and enabling faster response to illnesses. He further stressed that all stakeholders in the pharmaceutical sector must adhere strictly to legal provisions to ensure proper healthcare and hygiene standards in the newly created district.
Deputy Superintendent of Police PS Marwein expressed concern over the rising number of individuals affected by drug abuse. He urged pharmacy owners and medicine retailers to remain vigilant, particularly when selling items like syringes or other medicines that could potentially be misused. He called for extra caution to prevent such substances from falling into the wrong hands.
Medical Superintendent of Tirot Sing Memorial Hospital Dr T Lyngdoh, and Project Coordinator of MSPMRU M. Siangshai and healthcare professionals were present at the programme.
