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The Chennai-based Consortium of Indian Pharmaceutical Marketers and Manufacturers Associations (CIPMMA) has formally urged the Union government to exempt pharmaceutical marketers from the responsibility of drug product quality and other regulatory compliances.
This demand was a key resolution passed during CIPMMA's 15th general body meeting.
The Government of India, through an amendment in the Drugs and Cosmetics Act 1940, which took effect on March 1, 2021, introduced the concept of a "marketer" and assigned them equal responsibility for drug quality and other regulatory compliances, a role previously held solely by the manufacturer. During its 15th general body meeting, CIPMMA members argued that their involvement is limited to marketing the products, with no participation in the manufacturing processes. They argue that it is unfair to hold them responsible for quality control in manufacturing, since they do not oversee that part of the process.
CIPMMA has passed a resolution formally demanding that the government should exempt pharmaceutical marketers from the responsibility of ensuring the quality of medicines sold to customers or traders.
The Consortium of the marketers have also passed four more key resolutions, addressing various demands during their meeting. One significant resolution, presented by founder chairman Karunai Kadal, called for a reduction in the prices of active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs). The association believes that lowering API costs will directly enable a reduction in the prices of controlled category medicines, ultimately benefiting the general public. This proposal received unanimous support from the members.
Among other crucial demands, CIPMMA unanimously resolved that MSME Udyam Certificate Registration holders in Tamil Nadu should be granted concessions in electricity charges. This move aims to alleviate operational costs for smaller pharmaceutical enterprises within the state. Additionally, the association passed a resolution advocating for a uniform Goods and Services Tax (GST) rate of 5 percent across all pharmaceutical products, seeking to standardize taxation within the industry.
Finally, CIPMMA reiterated a long-standing demand through its fifth resolution, a complete ban on online pharma trade within Tamil Nadu. This resolution, like all others presented, was passed unanimously, highlighting the association's strong stance on these critical issues impacting pharmaceutical marketers and manufacturers.
J Jayaseelan, chairman of the Tamil Nadu state board of the Indian Drug Manufacturers Association (IDMA), graced the event at Kodai International Hotel in Kodaikanal as the chief guest. He announced that five members from CIPMMA would be selected to join the executive committee of the Tamil Nadu IDMA. Jayaseelan also urged pharmaceutical marketers to align their product offerings with the specific demands of customers and traders. He emphasized the importance of focusing on individual customer needs, suggesting that particular products required by doctors or traders should be manufactured through third-party arrangements to meet these precise demands effectively.
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