Sub-standard drugs have long been identified as a major problem in the Nepali drug market. Therefore, the bid by the Department of Drug Administration (DDA) to phase out medical products of those companies which have failed to meet the DDA guidelines should in all earnest come as a welcome piece of news. Although sporadic flares of DDA enthusiasm have been quite helpful in tackling the problem, the battle has proved a long drawn and a difficult one. In fact, the DDA aims to ban all medical products from international companies failing to meet the requirements. But quality control is only one aspect of the drug market that has not been able to evolve into what the public and the DDA would like it to be. For example, there have been those retailers who do not conform to the norms and have hence contributed to drug abuse by openly making prescription drugs accessible to all. That is but only a tip of the iceberg.

Officials blame the lack of a comprehensive Drug Act addressing different issues including quality control, handling of prescription drugs, ethical market practices and the medical aspect of the consumer rights as major handicaps. While the domestic drug market is gradually gaining recognition, foreign firms and medicines continue to be a major player. Around Rs 4 billion of the overall drug sales of around Rs 6 billion is covered by foreign players, which is why the hold of the outside firms in the Nepali drug market has been significant. It is indeed an uncomfortable situation both for the Nepali drug market and the consumers. Just because there is a demand for drugs the government cannot openly admit spurious medicines into circulation. It is useless to dwell on the waste of money, energy and side-effects adulterated drugs cause on the consumers. But that warrants a push for drug reforms. If a comprehensive Drug Act helps in that bid, the DDA must open a debate that may finally lead to statute reforms.

Many offices are now claiming to purge various departments of malpractices that have thrived within the system for many years. It is the duty of all the offices to engage themselves in such efforts which will enable people to live easier lives. But the drug market in Nepal has not always confined itself to that lofty goal. Protests in the aftermath of changes such as the one introduced by the tax regime or price differences have often brought the nation on its knees on more than one occasion. But there has also been a disparity in the price of same medicines even within the country. But as in any other sector, lack of consumer awareness is as much to blame for the disparity in price and quality of medicines. A comprehensive drug regime has to be introduced and drug quality monitored.