In recent times, many consumers have been complaining about how chemists are insisting on their buying an entire strip of ten tablets or capsules and refusing to cut the strip and sell two or four or even six tablets.

A consumer in Delhi, for example, says how despite the fact that the prescription of the doctor was for only two tablets, meant to be taken on two days, the chemist insisted on his taking an entire strip of ten and would not give him two. “He refused to listen and eventually I ended up spending more money on those tablets than necessary and the remaining eight tablets had no use and had to be thrown away”, says he. There are similar complaints from senior citizens most upset about this new trend.

Some of the chemists that I spoke to put the blame squarely on distributors and pharmaceutical companies who, they said, refused to take back unsold medicines if the strips were cut. “That is why we insist on the consumer buying the entire strip, more so if they are slow moving drugs which are likely to remain unsold,” said a chemist.

This is totally unacceptable, particularly because the cost of medicines has shot up phenomenally in recent times and this imposes unjustified costs on consumers. Why should consumers buy more than what is needed or required? In fact, this is a restrictive trade practice and violates the rights of consumers. Besides, let’s not forget that the poor, particularly daily wage labourers, often buy medicines in small quantities and the refusal on the part of the chemist to sell less than ten would put a heavy financial burden on them. It’s time the drug control authorities intervened and ensured that this matter between the pharmaceutical companies, distributors and pharmacists is sorted out, so that consumers do not suffer.

Meanwhile, residents associations should take up this issue with the neighbourhood chemists. If not, consumers have the option of filing a complaint before the consumer court or the Competition Commission of India (CCI). After all, this practice constitutes a restrictive trade practice that imposes unjustified costs on consumers and the commission can pass appropriate orders and put a stop to the practice. Your complaint to CCI can be sent to the following address: Competition Commission of India, Hindustan Times House, 18-20, Kasturba Gandhi Marg, New Delhi-110001.