Novartis to make a presentation to PMO on rural pharma
Novartis will make a presentation to the PMO on selling over-the-counter medicines from post offices in rural areas to increase the industry's reach in villages.
By PTI |
MUMBAI: Global pharma major Novartis will make a presentation to the Prime Minister's Office on selling over-the-counter medicines from post offices in rural areas to increase the industry's reach in villages.
"I would soon make a presentation to the Prime Minister's Office. A post office is an asset ready on ground," Novartis India Vice-Chairman Ranjit Shahani said.
When the Planning Commission Deputy Chairman Montek Singh Ahluwalia was in Mumbai recently, Shahani as President of Bombay Chamber of Commerce and Industry, had met him and floated the idea that over-the-counter medicines can be sold through 1.5 lakh post offices in the country giving a fillip to pharma in rural areas.
"Dr Ahluwalia was enthusiastic about it," he said. Shahani said as a first step a pilot project can be done in the village post offices of Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Orissa, Andhra Pradesh, Maharashtra and Kerala.
"Let us make a success of these and then go forward," he said.
But without the government's permission, the pilot projects cannot be carried forward as it involves three ministries.
Pharma comes under fertiliser ministry, post offices under communications ministry and as it involves health, the health ministry is involved as well.
"Look at petrol pumps. They were used only for petrols 20 years ago. Today they are used as convenience stores. One simple legislation can change that for Over The Counter medicines," he said.
"I would soon make a presentation to the Prime Minister's Office. A post office is an asset ready on ground," Novartis India Vice-Chairman Ranjit Shahani said.
When the Planning Commission Deputy Chairman Montek Singh Ahluwalia was in Mumbai recently, Shahani as President of Bombay Chamber of Commerce and Industry, had met him and floated the idea that over-the-counter medicines can be sold through 1.5 lakh post offices in the country giving a fillip to pharma in rural areas.
"Dr Ahluwalia was enthusiastic about it," he said. Shahani said as a first step a pilot project can be done in the village post offices of Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Orissa, Andhra Pradesh, Maharashtra and Kerala.
"Let us make a success of these and then go forward," he said.
But without the government's permission, the pilot projects cannot be carried forward as it involves three ministries.
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Pharma comes under fertiliser ministry, post offices under communications ministry and as it involves health, the health ministry is involved as well.
"Look at petrol pumps. They were used only for petrols 20 years ago. Today they are used as convenience stores. One simple legislation can change that for Over The Counter medicines," he said.
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