The Tamil Nadu Pharmaceutical Distributors Association (TNPDA) is planning to initiate action against pharmaceutical companies planning direct supply to the corporate hospitals and chain drug stores, as the part of its agitation against corporate hospitals.

The Association is monitoring the emerging trend of corporate hospitals and chain drug stores in the state and will come up with agitation when the trend starts hurting the interests of the distributors, informed sources. Plans are to boycott products of these pharma companies, mostly the large ones, which enter into a pact with the corporate hospitals for direct supply of medicines. The Association is also checking possibilities not to buy or dispense new products from these companies in such a case.

Though the Apollo Group of Hospitals is the only corporate hospital which is currently engaged in such an activity, more hospitals are also likely to procure drugs directly from manufacturers. The activities of chain drug stores are also increasing as a major threat to distributors and retail shops. A major share of retail shops, in a total number of around 15,000 retailers in the state will be affected by the move, according to sources from TNPDA.

The Association will discuss the issues in an executive meeting to be held by August 2006, to evolve the policy against such practices. TNPDA, which claims strength of 80 per cent in the total number of around 1600 distributors in Tamil Nadu, is also keen in monitoring the trend of increasing appointment of stockists by medium scale pharmaceutical companies, which will be discussed in the meeting.

TNPDA has recently commenced certain programmes including interactive sessions with the help of consultants to update its members about existing and upcoming challenges and also have plans to undertake educational programmes for public awareness on these issues.