Pharma app to verify costs of medicines

Mumbai: A mobile app, Pharma Sahi Daam, has been introduced by the National Pharmaceutical Pricing Authority (NPPA). It will provide information to consumers on the prices of scheduled medicines, which are under price regulation, as well as non-scheduled medicines. It will help consumers verify whether medicines are being sold within the approved price range and also detect any case of overpricing by the pharmaceutical company and chemist.

If any person finds out that medicines are unavailable after the implementation of the Goods and Services Tax (GST), they can file a complaint at the WhatsApp number 9695736333 with the name of the drug, dosage, the names of the company and the chemist. Complaints can be filed at 1800111255.

According to NPPA Chairman Bhupendra Singh , “The app is specially developed by NPPA to provide information on the prices of scheduled medicines that are under price regulation as well as non-scheduled medicines. It also provides information about the nearest chemists and has a list of Jan-Aushadhi stores nearby areas so it would be easy for people to get the medicines.”

“Prices of around 78 per cent of all actively used and traded drugs in the country are going to remain unaffected post GST,” said NPPA officials. The officials had added that medicines are available in sufficient quantity and people should immediately complain if any pharmacist is charging them extra or claims non-availability of a medicine.