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The Bangalore District Chemists & Druggists Association (BDC&DA) has insisted Karnataka government for permission to sell nutraceuticals and protein powders in agreement with FSSAI and except these products from pharmacy trade.
“The chemists and druggists are only selling packed products of nutraceuticals and protein powders manufactured by companies. The packs are not tampered with. We also do not market these in a loose form. So there is no question of seeking an FSSA license which is specific for manufactures”, V Hari Krishnan, President, BDC&DA said to media.
Speaking at the annual convention of BDC&DA, President Krishnan urged the Karnataka government to keep pharmacy trade fraternity away from the same. Dr Shalini Rajneesh, principal secretary, department of health and family welfare who was present at the convention, said, “There was need for clear communication channels between pharmacy trade and the government. All efforts would be made to clarify on the need for a FSSA license for the pharmacy trade when it was merely engaged in the marketing a packaged product”.
A seminar-cum-workshop on goods and services tax (GST) was held during the convention to clarify issues on excise duty, value added tax (VAT) and credit closing on stocks. The BDCDA president pointed out that while GST regime would bring in the much-needed accountability and transparency, the small retailers were finding it difficult to comprehend the new tax regime and needed guidance from the state commercial taxes department.
“Pharmacy trade needs to know the process for refund of excise duty and VAT. Moreover with the frequent NPPA price revision, GST cannot be implemented. Besides GST levy should be printed on all medicine packs”, stated Krishnan.
Rithvik Pandey, commissioner, Karnataka commercial taxes department said, “Free downloadable software from NIC for any retail service to transit to the GST era was available. His department was all set to provide assistance to the chemist fraternity”.