Staff Reporter
Margao
A programme on Wednesday urged consumers and the public to stay informed about their rights and help monitor medicine prices. The event brought together high school and higher secondary teachers, consumer forum members, the chemist and druggists association, and the resource unit.
The event especially aimed to educate teachers so as to enable them to pass on essential information to students.
“We focus on helping consumers understand how to read medicine labels, recognise MRP, identify overcharging, and know where to file complaints,” said FDA Director Shweta Dessai, speaking at a South district-level awareness programme conducted by the Goa State Price Monitoring and Resource Unit (PMRU)
PMRU operates under the Directorate of Food and Drugs Administration (FDA) and its role includes monitoring the prices of notified medicines, detecting pricing violations, ensuring medicine availability, and collecting market-based data and test samples.
Dessai said, “The role of PMRU is to inspect pharmacies for any overcharging above the MRP. If violations are found, they are reported to the National Pharmaceutical Pricing Authority (NPPA), which imposes penalties or fines on manufacturers and vendors.”
The lack of bills provided by some pharmacists was flagged with Dessai urging consumers to insist on a signed bill for every purchase. “Many times, pharmacists claim consumers are in a hurry and don’t want a bill, but this should not be the case.”
In addition to regulation, the PMRU is committed to empowering consumers through awareness campaigns and tools like the Pharma Sahi Daam Mobile App. This app allows consumers to verify the correct price of medicines, search for alternatives, and lodge complaints related to overpricing, shortages, or refusals to supply medicines.
