Apprehensive of voluntary boycott of purchase by stockists and a possible return of huge stocks of medicines that are enlisted in the DPCO 2013, the Tamil Nadu branch of IDMA and pharmaceutical manufacturers association of Tamil Nadu (TN PMA) have given special advisories to their members to liquidate the existing stocks before the new price order comes in force.

The members and the marketers have also been informed not to get panic over the new price order and keep the unsold medicines safely aside till new stocks with revised prices reach them. The association will also issue circular in this regard to all marketers and traders asking them not to return the stocks in panic.

M Rajaratinam, president of TN IDMA along with office-bearers of TN PMA and CIPI leaders called on senior officials in the Department of Pharmaceuticals (DoP), requesting to extend the date of withdrawal of medicines with higher prices from the market. He said the manufacturers are now in apprehension over the situation as the stockists are waiting for the new price order. If they don’t buy the products, there will be shortage of medicines in the market also. He said the manufacturers will also discuss the issue with the traders, especially the Tamil Nadu chemists and druggists association (TNCDA).

“Expecting a possible abstention from purchase by stockists, we have given our members to liquidate all the stocks. Because of a panic about big reduction in prices is impending the stockists are likely to withdraw from purchasing products from us. We have advised them not to be concerned about the situation because whatever the balance stock available with them after the new price order comes out, we will take the products back and fresh stocks with revised prices will be supplied,” he said.

According to him re-labelling of new price as per new DPCO is not a violation of the Drugs & Cosmetics Act. The manufacturing companies will paste new stickers with revised prices on the products.

He said IDMA in conjunction with pharmaceutical manufacturers association of Tamil Nadu will hold a panel discussion on DPCO 2013 on July 3 in Chennai to clear the doubts of manufacturers, marketers and traders. They will receive questions from all members and send them to NPPA for clarifications which will be later disseminated to the members.