Pharma Retailers demand redesign of medicine packs: Strip Cutting

The Pharma Retailers have raised concerns about the growing practice of strip cutting in the pharmaceutical industry.

September 8, 2024

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Last Updated on September 8, 2024 by The Health Master

Strip Cutting

The Karnataka Pharma Retailers & Distributors Organization (KPRDO) has raised concerns about the growing practice of strip cutting in the pharmaceutical industry.

KPRDO President C Jayaram has urged the Union government to take a firm stance on this issue, arguing that it leads to confusion among patients and pharmacists and violates the Drugs & Cosmetic Act & Rules.

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The Problem with Strip Cutting

Strip cutting involves dividing a larger strip of medication into smaller pieces to dispense individual doses.

While this may seem convenient for patients, it poses several problems:

Loss of essential information: When a strip is cut, important details such as the batch number, expiry date, and MRP become obscured, making it difficult to track the medication’s history and ensure its safety.
Violation of regulations: Strip cutting can violate the Drugs & Cosmetic Act & Rules, which require specific information to be present on each medication unit.
Ethical concerns: Given the significant portion of India’s population that is illiterate, strip cutting can lead to unethical practices as patients may not be able to verify the authenticity or safety of the medication.

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The Need for Clear Regulations

The current lack of clear-cut provisions in the D&C Act & Rules regarding strip cutting has created confusion and inconsistency among regulatory officials.

While some believe that strip cutting is acceptable if a patient desires, pharmacists argue that the relevant regulations are outdated and do not apply to modern pharmaceutical practices.

The Impact on Patients and Retailers

The confusion surrounding strip cutting ultimately affects both patients and retailers.

Patients may end up paying for a full strip of medication when they only need a few doses.

Retailers, on the other hand, face challenges in disposing of cut strips that lack essential information, leading to additional costs and compliance issues.

The Role of Pharmaceutical Manufacturers

KPRDO has also pointed out that pharmaceutical manufacturers are contributing to the problem by increasing the size of medication strips.

This trend, often driven by business strategies, can make it more tempting for patients and retailers to cut strips.

Proposed Solutions

To address these issues, KPRDO has suggested the following solutions:

Redesign of tablet strips: Each individual tablet or capsule should have the batch number, expiry date, MRP, drug name, and other required regulatory information printed directly on it.
Rationalization of strip sizes: Strip sizes should be based on therapeutic value, dosing, and the cost of the drug.
Stricter enforcement of regulations: The drug regulator should take a firm stance on strip cutting and ensure that manufacturers and retailers comply with all relevant laws.

By implementing these measures, the pharmaceutical industry can help to reduce confusion, protect patients, and ensure compliance with regulatory requirements.

Disclaimer: This article contains information derived from the source mentioned below. Our team utilized an AI language model to rewrite and present the news or article in a unique format.

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