Govt warns pharmacies against luring discounts

New Delhi: Delhi government has asked chemist shops and medical stores in the city to avoid making “unrealistic, misleading or vague” claims of discounts on medicine prices, following complaints that some outlets were claiming 60-80 per cent rebate. The drug control department of the government has flagged the issue of “exaggerated” discounts on medicine prices, citing a Kerala High Court order in June that upheld regulatory action against “misleading/vague” discount boards while recognising that genuine sale of medicines below maximum retail price (MRP) is not prohibited, officials said.

According to a recent advisory issued by the department, it has been observed that many retail pharmacies in Delhi are displaying promotional boards, banners and advertisements carrying claims such as “up to 60, 70, 80 per cent discount”. The department asked all licensed pharmacies and medical stores in Delhi to refrain from displaying or publicising “unrealistic, exaggerated, false, misleading or vague” claims regarding discounts or prices of medicines to promote sale of prescription medicines. The advisory pointed out that though selling medicines below the MRP is permissible as such, advertisements containing “vague, exaggerated or misleading” discount claims have the potential to mislead consumers.

“Unrealistic and exaggerated” discount claims on pharmaceutical products even below the purchase price from their actual manufacturers and authorised distributors further raise concerns regarding the genuineness of the source of procurement,” it said. It noted that medicines are not ordinary consumer goods. They are essential healthcare products directly connected with the health and well-being of patients.