KPRDO Urges CDSCO to Include Pharmacy Associations' Insights in DCC Discussions

KPRDO president C Jayaram emphasized that community pharmacists on the frontlines of drug distribution and patient care possess valuable practical knowledge that can shape effective regulatory reforms.

The Karnataka Pharma Retailers & Distributors Organisation (KPRDO) has called on the Central Drugs Standard Control Organization (CDSCO) to include pharmacy associations' insights during the Drug Consultative Committee (DCC) Subcommittee's discussions on Rule 64 Part VI of the Drugs and Cosmetics (D&C) Act. 

KPRDO president C Jayaram emphasized that community pharmacists on the frontlines of drug distribution and patient care possess valuable practical knowledge that can shape effective regulatory reforms.

He said, "The CDSCO formed a subcommittee in May to review Rule 64 of the D&C Rules, 1945, aiming to revamp drug sales practices. Our association contributes to suggestions to revamp Rule 64 Part VI of the Drugs Rules, 1945. It is important to consult associations like KPRDO, which have expertise and practical insights. We can highlight the real-world implications of regulatory changes, ensuring that revised rules are feasible and effective in practice."

Safeguarding Patient Safety & Modernising Practices

Jayaram stressed the importance of community pharmacists in protecting patient safety, noting that their input is essential for maintaining high standards in drug distribution and pharmacy practice. 

"Community pharmacists are vital in safeguarding patient safety. Our input can help ensure that regulatory changes continue to protect public health by maintaining high standards for drug distribution and pharmacy practice," he stated.

The pharmaceutical landscape has evolved significantly since 1945. Jayaram pointed out that community pharmacists can offer contemporary perspectives on digital prescriptions, online sales, and new pharmaceutical products, ensuring that regulations reflect current practices and technologies. 

"Community pharmacists can provide contemporary perspectives on digital prescriptions, online sales, and new pharmaceutical products, ensuring that the regulations are updated to reflect current practices and technologies," he added.

Addressing Compliance Challenges & Economic Impact

Pharmacists can identify potential compliance challenges with proposed changes, aiding in creating clear and practical regulations that reduce the risk of inadvertent non-compliance. 

"Pharmacists can identify potential compliance challenges with proposed changes, helping to design clear and practical regulations, thereby reducing the risk of inadvertent non-compliance," Jayaram noted.

He highlighted that including community pharmacy associations in the consultation process will ensure that the voices of small and independent pharmacies are heard, promoting a more balanced and equitable regulatory environment.

Jayaram also emphasized the economic contribution of community pharmacies, noting that their input can help assess the economic impact of regulatory changes, ensuring that new rules support sustainable business practices and do not unduly burden small enterprises. 

"The Community pharmacies are significant contributors to the economy. Their input can help assess the economic impact of regulatory changes, ensuring that new rules support sustainable business practices and do not unduly burden small enterprises," he said.

According to him, pharmacists' feedback can help ensure that regulatory changes prioritize patient-centered care, emphasizing pharmacists' roles in medication management, counseling, and improving health outcomes.

He also mentioned the challenges posed by modern-age selling methods infused with digital marketing and social media, which often bypass traditional wholesalers and retailers. 

"Modern-age selling is often infused with digital marketing, taking the help of social media and more focused on selling medicines directly to patients or end users, tampering with the existence of wholesalers and retailers, who are the major pillars in the chain," he remarked.

Jayaram concluded by urging policymakers to consult with community pharmacy associations to ensure well-informed, balanced, and effective revisions to Rule 64 Part VI. 

"By consulting with community pharmacy associations, policymakers can ensure that revisions to Rule 64 Part VI are well-informed, balanced, and effective, ultimately benefiting public health and the pharmaceutical sector. Therefore, we sincerely request the DCC sub-committee be informed to call us and to consider stakeholders' views when making suggestions," he said.