Gujarat Chemists Declare War on Discounted Substandard Drugs

Ahmedabad : In a decisive move, the Gujarat Chemists and Druggists Association (GCDA), representing over 35,000 pharmacists across the state, has cracked down on the alarming rise of substandard medicines being sold at deep discounts. At a recent workshop in the city, the association declared zero tolerance for such unscrupulous practices and demanded strong action against offenders.

“Substandard drugs pose a grave threat to public health, and we will not stand by idly while these counterfeit products flood our market,” said GCDA Secretary Rajiv Singhal. “We have urged the government to revoke its 2018 notification on online medicine sales and implement stricter regulations to ensure consumer safety.”

Highlighting the concerns of brick-and-mortar pharmacies, Singhal pointed out the stark discrepancy between their limited profit margins and the steep discounts offered by online vendors. “Our profit margins on most medicines range from 10-20%, with a handful at 10-15%. How can online pharmacies offer up to 40% discounts without compromising quality? This demands immediate investigation and action,” he emphasized.

Responding to these concerns, Hemant Koshia, Gujarat’s Food and Drug Commissioner, assured the association of the government’s commitment to safeguarding public health. “We are actively working to crack down on the online sale of fake medicines. Our raids have revealed widespread sales of counterfeit drugs by dubious online pharmacies. Only after tackling this menace can we effectively address the issue of excessive discounts,” he explained.

The GCDA’s stance marks a significant development in the ongoing battle against substandard and counterfeit drugs in India.