The National Pharmaceutical Pricing Committee (NPPC) has released a directive, ordering all pharmacies to display medicine prices and its details, as an initiative to ensure complete transparency in medical sector. Through the directive, the NPPC aims to make it mandatory for all pharmacies, both offline and online, to exhibit the prices and information of the medicines being sold.

The National Pharmaceutical Pricing Policy was launched in India with the aim to control the overpricing of drugs. The policy aims at ensure that essential medicines are affordable and accessible to all, especially to the marginalized community. ^[1]

The instruction, which is made mandatory under the Pharmaceutical Pricing Act aims to enhance transparency in Indian pharmaceutical sector. The committee has also warned that non-compliance with the directive will be strictly dealt with; any pharmacies not following the instruction will have to face legal action under the Essential Commodity Act. The Essential Commodity Act, 1955 is an act introduced, in the interest of the general public, for the control of the production, supply and distribution of, and trade and commerce, in certain commodities. ^[2]

However, many experts are criticizing this decision and raising doubts on whether it is could be implemented practically. Even though the law has been existing for a long time, its implementation has always been a debatable topic considering the the challenges. The vast amount of medicines available in the Kerala pharmaceutical market makes it almost an impossible task to achieve. Compared to countries like Kenya, which have better adherence to laws concerning detailed medical prescription, India's medicine sector has a lot to improve. India needs a stronger legal framework for e-pharmacies, which ensures compliance to the laws of the country.

Another major challenge is the lack of stringent regulations when it comes to Indian online pharma market. This issue has made it difficult to enforce consistent standards in terms of drug information and prescription management in online pharmacuetical sector. A recent research has depicted that majority of the e-pharmacies had a significant gap in the provision of detailed information about frequently sold drugs.

References

1. “Policy Repository,” n.d., https://www.nitiforstates.gov.in/policy-viewer?id=PNC1586Q000136#:~:text=The%20National%20Pharmaceutical%20Pricing%20Policy,especially%20to%20the%20marginalized%20community.(Accessed on February 14, 2025)

2. Parliament, THE ESSENTIAL COMMODITIES ACT, 1955, THE ESSENTIAL COMMODITIES ACT, 1955, 1955, https://www.indiacode.nic.in/bitstream/123456789/7053/1/essential_commodities_act_1955.pdf. (Accessed on February 14, 2025)

(Input from various sources)

(Rehash/Jithin Paul/MSM)