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The Thanjavur District Chemists and Druggists Association has formally moved against a local Pradhan Mantri Bhartiya Janaushadhi Kendra (PMBJK) in Ammapettai in Thanjavur district alleging a grave violation where private-label medicines are being sold under the guise of the government’s subsidized scheme.
The association filed a high-level complaint with the Bureau of Pharma PSUs of India (BPPI), presenting evidence that the outlet is illegally procuring and selling non-BPPI drugs, specifically GPRIDE-M2 tablets manufactured by a private firm, which bypasses the mandatory government supply chain intended for affordable healthcare.
The association has demanded immediate suspension of the Ammapettai Kendra's license and a comprehensive surprise inspection of its premises. They have called upon the Central authorities to seize all stocks of non-BPPI medicines found on-site and have requested that the owner be blacklisted from the scheme entirely. Beyond the individual outlet, the druggists are urging a state-wide audit across Tamil Nadu to identify similar rampant violations, seeking a public clarification to prevent citizens from being misled by unauthorized pharmaceutical sales.
The association’s evidence hinges on a specific transaction recorded on April 28, 2026, where the Kendra sold GPRIDE-M2 tablets at a discounted price of Rs. 40 against an MRP of Rs. 89. According to the complaint, this drug is not part of the official BPPI product list and was sourced from the open market or local distributors. The chemists argue that this constitutes a direct breach of PMBJK Procurement Guidelines Clause 5.2, which strictly prohibits Kendra owners from selling any medicine other than those officially supplied by the Bureau.
In addition to this allegation, the Thanjavur chemists expressed deep concern over the misuse of the ‘Pradhan Mantri’ brand name. They stated that selling private company products at predatory discounts within a government-branded facility misleads the public into believing the government is subsidizing all available medicines by 50-90 per cent. This practice, the association claims, significantly damages the reputation and sanctity of the Prime Minister’s noble healthcare initiative while creating an unfair and illegal competitive landscape for traditional retailers.
Legal complications under the Drugs and Cosmetics Act of 1940 were also highlighted, with the association stating that licensed retailers are only permitted to sell drugs procured through valid purchase invoices from authorized manufacturers. Since the BPPI did not supply the product in question, the chemists contend the source of procurement is inherently illegal. By bypassing these regulations, the shop has eliminated the vital records and tracking needed to ensure pharmaceutical accountability and safety in the area.
According to G. Parthasarathy, president of the Thanjavur chemists and druggists association, unlike official Jan Aushadhi supplies, non-BPPI products sold through these centres have not undergone the rigorous quality testing at NABL-accredited laboratories mandated by the government scheme. The association warned that selling such unverified products through a government outlet is a direct threat to public health, as patients trust the PMBJK banner to guarantee both affordability and quality assurance.
The complaint finally pointed toward potential financial irregularities, suggesting that the deep discounts on private products indicate fake billing or subsidy misuse that violates the CGST Act. The association reaffirmed its commitment to the Jan Aushadhi scheme but insisted that the level playing field must be protected. Copies of the complaint have been dispatched to the Drugs Controller General of India and the district collector to ensure a multi-departmental crackdown on the reported malpractice.
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