The retail chain pharmacy outlets can play an important role in restraining the menace of spurious and substandard drugs, claims, Madhukar Gangadi, chief executive officer, MedPlus Health Services Pvt Ltd, one of the leading pharmacy retail chains in the country.
In an exclusive interaction with Pharmabiz, Madhukar Gangadi, said, "There is no common opinion regarding the percentage of spurious drugs in the market and it is very difficult to assess the exact figure. Those are who engaged in the sale of spurious or substandard drugs are doing it with complete knowledge. It is not possible to sell spurious drugs without the knowledge of the traders." He also refuted the allegations of the traders' association that retail chains are responsible for the increased menace of substandard drugs.

According to him, the retail chains are taking all necessary steps to restrain the menace of spurious drugs. All of them are purchasing the drugs directly from manufacturers and the companies are sending bills to the retail chains. He said, "MedPlus has a team, comprising two top officials, to ensure the quality of drugs, which is responsible for the clearance of purchases. Moreover, we are purchasing directly from the manufacturers and they are sending the bill to us."

Commenting on the difficulty in securing the drugs, he said, "In small towns like Nagpur we are facing difficulty to secure the drugs, as the distributors have stopped supplying to us due to the protests of various traders' associations. However, it does not have an impact in Hyderabad."

He also refuted the argument of traders association that price discounts and home deliveries are against ethics. He further added that all products are not delivering under the home delivery scheme. Most of the medical shops are selling several drugs without any prescription and they should take steps to stop it. He also advocated for the reorganization of small pharmacy outlets to big one.

Commenting on the business plans of MedPlus, Gangadi, said, "We are aiming to open 1000 outlets by 2009. Currently MedPlus is present in eight states, Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Kerala, Tamil Nadu, West Bengal, Rajasthan, Maharshtra and Gujarat, though 500 outlets. In the immediate future we will open 15 outlets in Kerala."