All India Organization for Chemists and Druggists' decision to enter into a joint venture with AIOCD Ltd and Chennai-based Medi-Infotec has been opposed by the Chemists and Druggists Association-Retail (C&D Retail). The C&D Retail is against providing prescription information to the marketing people, which forms the core part of the JV.

AWACS, the information product of AIOCD Ltd's JV is a surveillance report with data and analysis based on sales data audit from the pharmacy outlets in various parts of the country and is expected to be launched within two months. But according to N Balaraja, general secretary, C&D Retail, it was not ethical for the AIOCD's newly formed AICOD Ltd to collect prescription information from the pharmacies.

Balaraja said the prescription is an important document that gives details about the patient's health record. And no person would like to part with his or her disease details. A patient could take action against the pharmacist if he comes to know that his prescription information is being shared with others. Moreover, the pharmacies had the moral responsibility to maintain the secrecy of patient records.

This was the main reason why the C&D Retail was opposing the issue. The association was consulting legal experts as to whether it was legal to part with the prescription information without the permission. If it is not in accordance with the law, then the C& D Retail would not hesitate to take legal action, Balaraja warned.

Moreover, it was essential to circulate the agreement details to all the members, as they need to know the pros and cons of the agreement. "They should provide the details of the agreement to all the members. Even they should know the issues related to the JV," he added.

It was better if the retail traders don't fall for the little amount of money they would offer per prescription. As for a small sum of money they would be letting out their business secrets.

"From the prescription information the competitors can very well know how much sale is being recorded in a particular pharmacy. And then after understanding the business in the area, he would apply tactics and spoil our business by opening an outlet nearby. So it is very risky to part with the prescription details," Balaraja said.


"We can accept that the AIOCD is doing all this through its new company. But it is not right to collect it from retailers who are not part of the company. And I don't think there are many members of the AIOCD Ltd in Chennai. So we would not accept to give the prescription details to the marketing people," he said.

Some points from the circular prepared by the C&D Retail to circulate to its members to highlight its opposition, are : 1) we have moral responsibilities to maintain secrecy of patient records. 2) As we are in a competitive world we cannot provide our business secrets to other marketing people or other Associations. 3) Don't give room for making money by the Association or marketing service providers in the name of service for getting information from the retailers. 4) By providing such information you are inviting on your own the competitor to the next door. 5) During epidemic emergencies we can provide such information to the government authorities and concerned institutions.