Display boards offering arbitrary discount on drugs to face action in Kerala
Drug inspectors and assistant drugs controllers authorised to check if shops are putting up misleading advertisements that can influence the purchasing decisions of consumers
The Kerala State Drugs Control department has commenced action against medical shops that display misleading boards offering arbitrary discounts on drugs. Drug inspectors and assistant drug controllers have been authorized to investigate these advertisements to prevent influencing consumers' purchasing decisions. This initiative stems from a complaint by the All-Kerala Chemists and Druggists Association (AKCDA) and follows a circular issued by State Drugs Controller K. Sujith Kumar on July 17.
The circular, based on orders from the Kerala High Court, permits the State Drugs Controller to seek affidavits from medical shop licensees, ensuring they do not display misleading or vague discount boards. Despite this, selling drugs below the maximum retail price or offering genuine discounts to customers remains lawful. Medical shops must display transparent, honest, clear, and examinable drug price announcements.
The department's action also addresses a legal dispute between traditional pharmacies and new-generation outlets offering discounts ranging from 20% to 80%. Concerns have been raised about the quality of drugs supplied through unauthorized dealers, with AKCDA president A.N. Mohan suggesting that new-generation shops may be attempting to monopolize the medicine trade or procure medicines from unverified sources.
Written by urgent.news from The Hindu's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
