Dimapur, May 23 (MExN): The Naga Students’ Federation (NSF) has extended its “unequivocal support and solidarity” to the Nagaland Medicine Dealers’ Association (NMDA) in connection with the one-day token strike observed across Nagaland on May 20.
In a statement issued on May 23, the federation acknowledged the concerns raised by chemists and druggists over the “unchecked proliferation” of unregulated e-pharmacies, predatory pricing practices by large corporate entities and policy measures adversely affecting local pharmaceutical retailers and community chemists.
The NSF asserted that there could be “absolutely no compromise” on matters concerning public health, safety and access to genuine medicines.
It stressed the need for complete transparency, accountability and strict regulatory oversight at every stage of procurement, storage, distribution and sale of medicines and medical supplies.
The federation cautioned the concerned department to ensure that the supply of substandard medicines, expired drugs, counterfeit products and inferior medical materials is dealt with firmly and penalised without exception.
Expressing concern over individuals and entities engaged in the sale and supply of medicines without proper licences, statutory permissions, professional credentials and regulatory approvals, the NSF urged the authorities to strengthen the existing mechanisms for quality testing and verification of medicines and medical supplies procured by the state.
It further said laboratories and agencies engaged for quality assurance must be duly accredited, competent and subjected to regular scrutiny.
The federation also called for review and verification of internal audit and inspection reports, credentials of all firms and suppliers engaged in the procurement and supply process, including valid drug licences and statutory permissions required for procurement, storage, transportation and supply of medicines and medical components.
The NSF additionally demanded physical inspection of locations, godowns, warehouses and storage facilities maintained by firms and suppliers to ensure compliance with prescribed standards and storage norms.
It maintained that any firm or supplier found involved in non-compliance, undue delay, supply of substandard materials, falsification of records or violation of procurement norms must be penalised and blacklisted in accordance with the law.
Reiterating its stand, the federation said public health “cannot be subjected to commercial exploitation, administrative negligence or regulatory compromise.”
