Hyderabad: The Telangana Drugs Control Administration has seized an overpriced antibiotic ointment by the name ‘Teet Bet Ointment’ (Mupirocin Ointment IP 2% w/w) at Uppal, Medchal Malkajgiri District. The MRP indicated is very high compared to the Ceiling Price fixed for the product by the Central Government.
The price of product under ‘Teet Bet Ointment’, being Mupirocin Ointment IP 2% w/w, is regulated by Drugs (Prices Control) Order, 2013 where it should not exceed the value of ‘Ceiling Price’ set by NPPA (National Pharmaceutical Pricing Authority), Government of India.
The label on the product indicates that its MRP as Rs. 135/- for 5 gm pack which contravenes Drugs (Prices Control) Order, 2013. Its ceiling price that includes Wholesale Price Index and other factors set by Central Government and other relevant authorities is Rs. 20.29 per 1 gm i.e. Rs. 101.45 per 5 gm (Ceiling Price).
Hence Maximum Retail Price (MRP) i.e. including GST 12 % should not be more than Rs. 113.62 per 5 gm tube (MRP=Ceiling Price+GST). The firm overpriced the product. Firm charged excess of Rs. 21.37/- per 5 gm tube.
Dr. V. Balanaganjan, Assistant Director, Shameerpet, Dr. B. Lakshmi Narayana, Drugs Inspector, Uppal, Smt. G. Indira Priyadarshini, Drugs Inspector, Habsiguda, Smt. B. Mounika, Drugs Inspector, and Sri. P. Ambedkar, Drugs Inspector are among the officers who carried out the raid.
Further investigation shall be carried out and action shall be taken as per the law against all the offenders.
The prices of Essential Medicines shall be in accordance with the Ceiling Prices fixed by the Central Government. Overpricing of essential medicines is a violation under Drugs (Prices Control) Order, 2013 and stringent action shall be taken as per the law against violators.
