Overcharging chemists at PGI profit from patients' distress

Time of India

8 hours ago

Chandigarh:A reality check conducted by team TOI on Friday exposed exploitation of patients by some private chemist shops operating within the outpatient department (OPD) of the PGI.
Following the discovery of this violation, PGI authorities have proposed penalising the chemist concerned. These shops allegedly sell drugs at significantly inflated prices, often from manufacturers with a history of substandard drug complaints. This investigation reveals a stark contrast with the govt-backed AMRIT (Affordable Medicines and Reliable Implants for Treatment) store, which offers substantial discounts but sees considerably less patient traffic.
TOI conducted a direct comparison of prices for a basket of common medications across three distinct retail outlets: two of them located within the PGI hospital premises (a private chemist shop in New OPD and AMRIT store) and one in the adjacent market of Sector 11. Receipts in hand, the team uncovered a 'huge price variation' with the private PGI chemists charging exorbitant rates. The focus was on frequently prescribed drugs, including an anti-allergy medication (Cetirizine), two antibiotics (Augmentin 625 and Tinidazole), and a combination drug for gastric issues (Domperidone and Rabeprazole).
It was found that chemists within PGI's OPD are leveraging their prime location to charge higher prices from patients who are often in distress and lack the time or awareness to compare costs. While the adjacent AMRIT shop remained relatively empty, the private drug store in PGI's New OPD witnessed a constant stream of patients, eager to collect their medicine order using a token slip, unaware of the allegedly inflated prices.
Not just this, most of the medicines sold by the private chemist shop in the New OPD were found to be sourced from manufacturers in Baddi and Patiala – regions that have faced complaints of substandard drugs by drug control authorities. This raises serious questions about the quality and efficacy of medications being dispensed to patients.
As per their rental agreement with PGI, these private shops are mandated to provide a 15% discount on medicines.
However, the reality check suggests that the maximum retail price (MRP) on labels is being inflated to overcome this condition, effectively nullifying the intended benefit for patients. To further deceive patients and project an image of govt affiliation, the private drug store was observed displaying a photograph of the Prime Minister, which is employed by the genuine AMRIT store.
Sources alleged that private pharmacies often overcharge customers by inflating the MRP of medicines.
It was found that a shop that is supposed to offer a mandatory 15% discount, set its own higher MRP, ensuring that even with the discount, the prices remained higher. Sadly, PGI officials seemed to show little interest in the issue. After waiting over a day for an official comment, TOI was told by the PGI spokesperson: "The person concerned is preoccupied, so may not be able to respond.
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INSET:
There are three types of medicines: Branded (sold and marketed by companies), Generic (same salt and active ingredients as in branded medicines but they do not market the drug), and Branded generic (Branded companies also manufacture generic medicines).
Price difference is due to the marketing in branded drugs, which is not in others. There is a 150-200% profit margin in generic drugs.
AIIMS Delhi has no private chemist within the campus. There are AMRIT and Jan Aushadi stores only inside the hospital. PGI has around 18 chemist shops within the campus. This includes 7 AMRIT stores—one of the highest in the country.
In 2022, five patients allegedly died following a propofol injection purchased from PGI's chemist in the emergency.
The CDSCO's report concluded that the drug was contaminated. The PGI banned the chemist, and he had to vacate the shop soon. The drug was manufactured in Kala Amb, Himachal Pradesh.
GRAPHIC:
Medicine Name: Cetirizine (Anti-allergy) 10 tablets
Price at New OPD Shop (Rs.): 10
Price at Sector 11 Shop (Rs.): 10
Price at AMRIT Store (Rs.): 9
Medicine Name: Augmentin 625 (Antibiotic) 14 tablets
Price at New OPD Shop (Rs.): 624
Price at Sector 11 Shop (Rs.): 258
Price at AMRIT Store (Rs.): 215
Medicine Name: Tinidazole (Antibiotic) 10 tablets
Price at New OPD Shop (Rs.): 47
Price at Sector 11 Shop (Rs.): 141
Price at AMRIT Store (Rs.): 111
Medicine Name: Domperidone + Rabeprazole (Combination) antacid 20 tablets
Price at New OPD Shop (Rs.): 552
Price at Sector 11 Shop (Rs.): 189
Price at AMRIT Store: 142
Total Bill:
NEW OPD PGI: 1242
SECTOR 11: 599
AMRIT PGI: 478 MSID:: 122406126 413 |