HT Correspondent
HAFLONG, Nov 19: The Chemists and Druggists Association of Assam (CDAA) held its Executive Committee Meeting at Hotel Borail View, Silchar, attended by delegates from across the state. The event, chaired by CDAA president Dr NL Agarwala, was graced by Assam state general secretary Jitu Barman, state treasurer Koustav Kr Guha, and leaders of the Cachar Medicine Retail and Wholesalers Association, including president Karuna Sindhu Dey, secretary Montosh Paul, and organising Secretary Shibaji Bhattacharjee.
The meeting began with a formal felicitation and condolence session, setting a respectful tone before diving into a packed agenda. A highlight of the event was the unveiling of the ‘Medishine Bulletin’, a publication offering pharmaceutical updates and insights from district-level associations within Assam and beyond.
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Key resolutions were adopted during the meeting, addressing challenges faced by the pharmaceutical sector: Social Media and Website Cell formation of a dedicated cell to enhance communication and utilise WhatsApp for efficient information dissemination; GST mismatch notices discussion on resolving discrepancies and current status of notices impacting members; cold chain logistics proposals to introduce specialised containers for better pharmaceutical transshipment; discount awareness programs to educate members about ongoing discount policies and their implications; licensing issues (U/S 32/b) deliberations on challenges related to pharmacists’ licenses.
A significant focus was on the alarming rise in Not of Standard Quality (NSQ) medicines. Over fifty such medicines were recently flagged by the Central Drugs Standard Control Organization (CDSCO), raising concerns about substandard and potentially harmful drugs in circulation.
The CDAA resolved to appeal to the state government for the establishment of district-level testing laboratories to regularly evaluate pharmaceutical products and identify NSQ medicines. Delegates emphasised that such measures are critical for ensuring public safety and maintaining the quality of medicines. Concerns were also raised about how aggressive discount policies might contribute to the prevalence of substandard drugs.
At a joint press briefing, CDAA president Dr NL Agarwala, general secretary Jitu Barman, and spokesperson Debashish Swami reiterated the urgency of addressing the NSQ medicine issue. They announced plans for a new test laboratory under the Department of AYUSH in Assam and called on the government to expedite the establishment of district-level facilities.
Currently, the region has only one functional test laboratory, underscoring the pressing need for more infrastructure. The leaders stressed the responsibilities of the CDSCO under the Drugs and Cosmetics Act, including drug approval, clinical trial oversight, and collaboration with state drug regulators to uphold stringent quality standards.
The meeting reflected the association’s proactive approach to tackling challenges in the pharmaceutical trade, highlighting its commitment to public health, professional ethics, and the welfare of the community.
