The All India Organisation of Chemists and Druggists (AIOCD) is all set to commence operation of its distribution company from January 1, 2008. The Organisation has already finalised talks with some pharmaceutical companies for distribution alliance, it is learnt.
An executive committee meeting of the Organisation recently approved a time bound plan to start commercialisation of the nationwide distribution company from the first month of 2008, according to AIOCD source. Initially, the new limited company would engage in trading of branded generics, specialty anti-cancer and anti-retroviral medicines in subsidised rate.
"We have decided to proceed with the floating of the company, all the ideas were discussed and decisions were taken on related matters so that everything would be ready within the current year for smooth launch of the company in the next year," said A N Mohan, president, AIOCD. Headquartered at Mumbai, the All Indian Origin Chemists and Distributors Ltd (AIOCD Ltd) will liaison operations of the distribution companies to be initiated by each state affiliates of the organisation, he added.
The Maharashtra State Chemists and Distributors Alliance Ltd (MSCDA Ltd), the pilot project of AIOCD to be launched by the Maharashtra State Chemists and Druggiss Association (MSCDA) would start functioning in the state soon, perhaps before the launch of AIOCD Ltd. The state body is recruiting staff for its headquarters in Mumbai.
The company has already initiated talks with major pharma companies for business deals and would sign maximum deals within second week of March 2008, said the sources. The organisation has also enlisted around 85 pharmaceutical companies including the major foreign multi-nationals and the Indian multi-nationals for prospective business relationship in future.
AIOCD has also conducted community pharmacy course for various batches of retail pharmacists to equip them provide better service through the new company. Plans are to provide training for 25,000 retail pharmacists within two years, according to J S Shinde, general secretary, AIOCD. With this, the AIOCD Ltd will ensure that its retail shops would guide the customers on disease conditions, drug information and healthcare tips as the part of competing with other organised retail chain companies.
The new company is part of AIOCD's strategy to resist the threat on the traders from the organised retail and wholesale companies, which are gaining strength during the last few years. The company, which will start with two state wise distribution firms in Kerala and Maharashtra in the current financial year, has plans to launch around 10 state wise companies in the next year.