All India Organisation of Chemists and Druggists (AIOCD), the apex orgnisation of the druggists and chemists in the country, has opined that the pharmaceutical companies need to take the trade channels into confidence to put effective control over the manufacture and sale of spurious drugs. The association also feels that better interaction between the associations, drug control authorities and the companies can be of immense help in tackling the problem.

Speaking to Pharmabiz.com, Sandeep Nangia, organizing secretary, AIOCD and president, Retailers & Distributors Chemists Association of National Capital Territory of Delhi (RDCA) said that the association would try to have some understanding in place to improve the relationship and interaction between these sectors. AIOCD is part of the recently formed Mashalkar Committee on revamping drug regulatory system in the country. The association will stress the point in the coming discussions of the committee, he informed.

The association, on its part has been informing its members the need for restricting the purchase of medicines from the authorized distributors or the authorized wholesalers of the country. They have instructed all their members that if a product is sold in the market much below the official rates, it has to be brought to the notice of the association or the Drugs Control Department.

The association is also trying to remind the members that the batch no on the product and that on the bill have to be verified while taking delivery of the medicines.

Another important point suggested by the association is the need to exercise their rights to confirm the authenticity of the source of supply of the medicine from wholesalers.

Nangia felt that the retailers should be in a position to freely interact with the company officials regarding their distribution network, if the cases of un authorized entry of drugs into the supply chain is to be prevented.