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 The Bangalore District Chemists and Druggists Association (BDCDA) under its digital empowerment initiative is urging all IT (information technology) vendors to subsidise costs of billing software, hardware systems and CCTV surveillance solutions for retail pharmacy stores.
BDCDA president B Thirunavukkarasu said that with the recent GST 2.0 reform, it has become evident that there is no centralised national network system for product monitoring and data integration across the pharmaceutical supply chain. Similarly, the tragic fatality of 23 children because of contaminated cough syrups has exposed a painful truth that even for such critical issues, there is no real-time traceability or unified product tracking mechanism.
These events serve as a wake-up call. The unorganised nature of nearly 60% of retail pharmacies poses risks not only to retailers but also to public health and patient safety. There is, therefore, an urgent and moral responsibility to bring all unorganised retailers into a digitally integrated and traceable ecosystem in the interest of public welfare and professional integrity, he added.
The BDCDA digital empowerment drive is aimed at transforming retail pharmacies into structured, technology-driven establishments equipped with modern compliance and safety tools. In his communication to the IT vendors, Thirunavukkarasu said, “We seek your support in providing a complete digital enablement package comprising GST compatible billing software with integrated inventory, batch tracking, and expiry alerts. This along with a hardware setup of desktop, laptop, or compatible device; a high-quality printer for billing and documentation; and a 24×7 CCTV surveillance system will ensure safety, transparency, and accountability within every retail pharmacy.”
It is increasingly important today, as several incidents have been reported where criminals have impersonated drug control officials and attempted to harass or extort money from pharmacists. At the same time, there are increasing reports that certain drug control inspections are not being carried out personally by authorised enforcement officials, but rather through intermediaries or agents, a practice that undermines trust and credibility. Hence, CCTV coverage becomes a vital safeguard for both the retailer and the regulatory system, ensuring that every interaction remains lawful, transparent, and properly documented, he noted.
BDCDA encourages all technology partners to offer these integrated packages at a highly subsidised rate, as a gesture of solidarity with the pharma fraternity and a contribution to national health protection. In addition, we also request to explore offering the package with a flexible, interest-free EMI option, either through your company directly or in partnership with any banking or financial institution, ensuring that every retailer regardless of financial capacity can access and adopt this system, he said.
To instil confidence among all stakeholders, BDCDA is prepared to stand as a guarantor and facilitator for such arrangements, extending its institutional assurance to ensure smooth and transparent implementation. The EMI may be structured as a zero-cost or interest-waived model, enabling easy digital adoption without financial burden on small and medium retailers. Together, we must empower them with technology, transparency, and integrity, ensuring that no retailer is left behind in this era of national digital transformation, said Thirunavukkarasu.
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