By Our Reporter
SHILLONG, Aug 2: In a bid to educate pharmacists and medicine retailers from across Eastern West Khasi Hills district about the government’s regulation of maximum retail price (MRP) for medicines, the Meghalaya State Price Monitoring & Resource Unit (MSPMRU) on Friday conducted a one-day seminar at the New Conference Hall of Tirot Sing Memorial Hospital, Mairang.
According to a statement here, the seminar focused on the regulation of medicine prices by the National Pharmaceutical Pricing Authority (NPPA) and the introduction of Pharma Sahi Daam, an initiative aimed at improving transparency in the pharmaceutical sector.
The programme was attended by Additional Deputy Commissioner M. Diengdoh, Superintendent of Police PS Marwein, Medical Superintendent of Tirot Sing Memorial Civil Hospital Dr T. Lyngdoh and MSPMRU Project Coordinator M. Siangshai.
The seminar highlighted the importance of NPPA in ensuring that essential medicines remain affordable and accessible.
During the seminar, presentations were made on platforms such as Pharma Sahi Daam and Pharma Jan Samadhan, which offer public information on medicine pricing and avenues for lodging grievances.
The newly introduced Pharma Sahi Daam App was also showcased, empowering consumers to verify medicine prices and report overcharging by retailers.
Speaking at the event, Diengdoh spoke about the district’s ongoing efforts in pharmacy monitoring and health inspections. He said that such inspections are vital for upholding public health standards and improving timely healthcare delivery.
He also maintained that all stakeholders in the pharmaceutical sector must strictly adhere to legal provisions to ensure healthcare integrity and hygiene.
On the other hand, Marwein, in his address, raised alarm over the growing menace of drug abuse and urged pharmacists to exercise vigilance, especially in the sale of syringes and other potentially misused substances.
He said pharmacy owners must be extra cautious to prevent these items from being diverted into the wrong hands.
Others who were part of the seminar include healthcare professionals, pharmacists, retailers, wholesalers and medicine shop owners from across the district.
