Kathmandu, December 22:

After the government has fixed price of essential drugs, it was expected that consumers will get respite. Instead, it has benefited domestic pharmaceutical companies and drugs importers.

Drug retailers have not reduced the price following the government’s directives, but they have increased the price on par with the rate fixed by the government. Man Pradhan, a chemist, said the government’s decision to fix ceiling price on drugs was a welcome move to ensure consumers’ affordability while buying drugs. He, however, said the government’s decision was not practical. “There are quality products which can be bought at a cheap price compared to the price fixed by the government.”

For instance, an Indian drug Ciphadroxil 500 mg Cap/Tab costs Rs 6.3 in the market, but the government has fixed its price at Rs 10. Ampicillin and Cloxacillin 500 mg Cap has a similar case. Both drugs cost Rs 3.80, but the government has fixed the price at Rs 7.50.

“Mega Pen has stopped marketing Ampicillin and Cloxacillin in India and started to supply to Nepal,” Pradhan said. “Either the government should not have allowed it to import or it should review its price,” he said.

“Domestic companies have reviewed the price to match the new rate,” said Sano Kaji Shrestha, vice president of the Association of Pharmaceutical Producers’ of Nepal.