Pharma Gladiator (India), a redressal forum to eradicate the grievances of pharmaceutical traders in India, has alleged the multinational pharma company Baxter India of resorting to several unethical trade practices in gross violation of drugs and cosmetics act.
In a letter to the marketing director, Baxter India Pvt Ltd, Pharma Gladiator's Prime communicator Narendra Jain alleged that there are several grievances and complaints from both authorized distributors and chemists including government and institutional suppliers against the discrepancies on the entire operation and logistics of the company.
“Considering and scrutinizing the invoices of your company along with the price list so arranged, we have observed a variance from your part in providing appropriate and accurate trade discount/margin which is definitely an offence for deceiving and depriving the traders’ community from their right. Necessary clarification under the Drugs Act and DPCO is expected for our record and understanding, which we like to verify with subsequent price lists of competitive brands of other companies,” the letter said.
The Pharma Gladiator has further accused Baxter of quoting irrational, under-rated price for its life saving medicines to certain drug licensees, who are not appointed and authorized by the company, allowing them compensation and/or subsidies, even lesser than the 'Price to Stockiest' the company is charging to its authorized distributors. It also regretted that such compensated or difference in price or amount is not getting reimbursed in time causing unnecessary blockage of capital for distributors.
Jain said that the Pharma Gladiator activists have found fault with the ‘packaging’ of products of the company and have collected sample of a few brands of Baxter for proper testing at approved laboratories.
Accusing the company of resorting to unfair trade practices, Jain said that the Pharma Gladiator has gathered certain evidences where the company's officials in different parts of Maharashtra are found indulging in unfair practices with doctors, physicians and several health workers by insisting various provisions of the MCI. “We certainly oppose your trick to involve the Distributors in such malpractice by sending ‘Notice’ or 'Circular’ to arrange commission or incentives from ‘Fictitious Rate’ of the products so forced by you for charging towards the ailing community”, the letter said.