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Large quantities of insulin vials and several costly medicines are allegedly reaching in various retail stores in Thiruvananthapuram and Kollam districts in Kerala through black market with major discount on their prices (MRP), according to Professional Pharmacist Forum (PPF), a group of registered pharmacists under All Kerala Chemists and Druggists Association (AKCDA).
The agents of the illegal sale clandestinely approach the shop owners and, after making a rapport with them, supply insulin vials and other essential medicines on large discounts on the MRP. An insulin vial which costs Rs. 140 in the open market is priced at Rs. 80 by the mafia and the MRP on the label will be similar to those available in the open market. Similarly, other costly medicines are also discounted upto 50 per cent of the MRPs. This happens mostly in the southern districts of the state wherein no significant inspection is held, the retail pharmacists alleged.
According to a trader, two days ago a member of the gang of illegal medicine supply came to the shop of an office-bearer of the AKCDA at Chathannore in Kollam district and said he was having insulin vials with MRP of Rs. 140 and ready to sell them for Rs. 80 for one vial. The shop owner, being a registered pharmacist, informed the drug control officials immediately. The shop owner said the agent was approaching all the shops covertly and there was chance for black marketing.
The genuine traders in the city and in other parts of the district said the insulin vials these agents are selling are not properly preserved by these agents. If the vial is not preserved at a temperature between 2-8 degree centigrade, the potency of the medicine will be lost. If a patient uses this insulin, he will not get the desired result.
When contacted, Kerala Drugs Controller B. Hariprasad said his office had launched an investigation to trace the illegal sale of insulin based on complaint by retailers, but it was found that no such mafia was operating underground for insulin sales. He asked how can a retailer buy medicines from agents without a bill, and if anybody does so, it is illegal.
According to traders, the medicine circulation through black market is encouraged by a particular set of pharmacies labeled for discount sale in Thiruvananthapuram and Kollam districts, and they are placing discount sale boards before the shops displaying huge reductions in the MRPs. The traders allege that the drug regulatory officers are not conducting an enquiry on the sources of their procurement of medicines. If medicines are procured through proper channel, no retailer can sell any medicine at 13 per cent to 65 per cent discount as most of the medicines are under the controlled category.
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