The Indian Drug Manufacturers' Association (IDMA), Organization of Pharmaceutical Producers of India (OPPI) and All India Organisation of Chemists and Druggists (AIOCD) had organized a special meeting to discuss implications of VAT implementation on March 17, 2003. At the meeting, IDMA and OPPI have given assurance to the AIOCD that taking into consideration the actual rules on VAT as and when announced where wholesalers would get set off (after six months from the date of filing its first returns) on goods lying with them as on 31st March 2003, in such cases the financial loss, if any, incurred by the wholesalers will be considered sympathetically by the industry.

In turn AIOCD has assured that there will be no shortage of medicines and there will be no return of goods other than excessive inventory in value terms (as defined in the agreement between trade and industry). In the mean time business should be conducted as usual as per the current terms.