Several key drugs in short supply after government's price control measure

NEW DELHI: The government's price control measure for essential medicines has had an unexpected fallout -several of these drugs, including those for treatment of chronic ailments such as high uric acid levels and diabetes are either in short supply or have gone missing from chemist shops.
Among the drugs facing shortage are Zyloric (uric acid control), Ocid (acidity), CCM (calcium supplement) and Etroxin (a thyroid medicine).Albumin, a lifesaving protein, has been in short supply for nearly four months now.

Pharmacists claim companies have reduced production of these vital drugs because their profit margins have gone down -a charge denied by manufacturers. Kailash Gup ta, head of a federation of chemists, said while controlling the price of medicines the government should also ensure regular supply. Several vital medicines went into short supply right after their prices were controlled by the government, according to Kailash Gupta, president of All India Chemists and Distributor's Federation.

“Ten capsules of Zyloric used to cost Rs 37.40. But after price control measures announced by the government, it now costs Rs 23.30.Similarly , the MRP of Eltroxin (25 mg) went down from Rs 76 to Rs 69. Ocid's price was cut by nearly Rs 30 for a sachet containing15 tablets,“ said Gupta.

“We get many patients who are suffering from chronic ailments and dependent on some of these medicines. They are desperate to get these medicines,“ he said.

The spokesperson of GlaxoSmithKline, which manufactures Zyloric, told TOI: “We are currently facing some issues across our manufacturing network that is impacting our ability to supply a number of prod ucts. We are doing our utmost to bring supply back to normal as soon as possible.“

The spokesperson added that restoring normal supply may take a few months.

A senior official from Cadila Healthcare said there was no shortage of any drug manufactured by the company . “We continue to produce at our previous levels. There is no cut in either production or supply . I am surprised to hear that you have found shortage. From our end, the supply situation is fine and we have not received any complaints,“ a senior executive of the company said.