The Federation of Druggists and Chemists of Karnataka has submitted a 12-point proposal to the drugs control department to check concentration and cluster formation of drugs stores in the state. The proposal may form the basis of guidelines for grant of licenses for new medical shops.

Currently, there area around 3,000 retail drug stores in Bangalore and 15,000 in the State. It is found that there is a concentration of retail drug outlets in certain parts of the Bangalore and in cities like Mysore and Mangalore. To ensure a uniform spread of retail stores, the drugs department has formed a Guidelines Committee for Grant of New Licenses headed by Ramakrishna Gandhi, deputy drugs controller who will finalise the rules in consultation with the members of the committee by this month end. The committee has members of the drugs department and the trade associations.

According to V Hari Krishnan, organising secretary, Federation of Druggists and Chemists Association, Karnataka and the president of the Bangalore District Druggists and Chemists Association, drugs store in an excess will lead to the unhealthy competition and result in a total chaos to the drug retail business.

The Federation has suggested that there should be no branches for one chemist shop in the state. A drug store proprietor can have only one outlet in his name but he can be permitted to be partner of a new outlet. Registered pharmacists are to be given priority and preference while issuing fresh licenses. No licenses should be issued to operate in a basement or cellar shops.

Further, the charter also specifies the need of a minimum area for shops. The height from the floor must not be less than 4 metres and front elevation should be a minimum of 4 metres. There should be at least 20sq.m carpet area for retail outlets and 30sq. m for wholesale shops. Drugs stores should not have open racks. The shops must take into consideration the temperature of the region and the minimum size of the refrigerator must be 230/280 litres.

The new retail outlet must be located 200 metres away from the existing drug stores in urban areas and 100 metres away in rural areas. For granting licenses, the Corporation and municipal areas must be classified as urban and the rest can come under rural areas.

The approach to the chemist shop should be made accessible for handicapped and disabled patients or their relatives. The working hours must be revised and shifts to be introduced for the convenience of the outlets and the consumers who can access the shops 24/7 period.

The automatic renewal of licenses should be considered. If there is a change in constitution of the drug store, then automatic renewal of same license can be permitted after necessary documents are obtained.