The Meghalaya State Price Monitoring & Resource Unit successfully conducted a one day Seminar on Regulation of Medicine Prices by NPPA and Introduction of Pharma Sahi Daam for pharmacists, shop owners of the retail and wholesalers shops of Eastern West Khasi Hills District today the 1st August at New Conference Hall, Tirot Sing Memorial Hospital.

            The distinguished guests includes Shri M.Diengdoh, MCS, Addl Deputy Commissioner, Shri P.S Marwein District Superintendent of Police, Dr T.Lyngdoh Medical Superintendent Tirot Sing Memorial Civil Hospital Mairang, Shri M.Siangshai, Project Coordinator of MSPMRU and others.

            The primary objective of the seminar is to educate pharmacists and medicine retailers from across the district about the government’s regulation of maximum retail price ( MRP) for medicines, ensuring that pharmaceutical companies and retailers do not arbitrarily hike prices.

Also on the day, through slide presentations highlighted on the motive of the NPPA which play a crucial role in ensuring the availability and accessibility of medicines at affordable prices. The Pharma Sahi Daam and Pharma Jan Samadhan platforms are administered by NPPA for information on medicine prices and registering public grievances. The seminar also introduced the Pharma Sahi Daam App, designed to promote transparency and affordability in the pharmaceutical sector. The app aims to enable people to check medicine prices and lodge complaints if pharmacies overcharge.

Shri M.Diengdoh, Addl Deputy Commissioner highlighted the district’s consistent efforts in monitoring the functioning of pharmacies. He emphasized that regular inspections conducted by the health teams ensures compliance and improves health care delivery, where such inspections, he said, are crucial for safeguarding public health and enabling faster response to illnesses. He further stressed that all stakeholders in the pharmaceutical sector must adhere strictly to legal provisions to ensure proper healthcare and hygiene standards in the newly created district.

Shri P.S Marwein, DSP in his speech, expressed concern over the rising number of individuals affected by drug abuse. He urged pharmacy owners and medicine retailers to remain vigilant, particularly when selling items like syringes or other medicines that could potentially be misused. He called for extra caution to prevent such substances from falling into the wrong hands.

The event saw the participation of healthcare professionals, pharmacies, shop owners, retailers and wholesalers.