Pharma traders protest ‘Impractical’ drug act rules (photos)
They urged authorities to annul such rules immediately.
KATHMANDU: Pharmaceutical entrepreneurs have staged a sit-in at the Department of Drug Administration (DDA) demanding the removal of what they call impractical provisions in Section 11 of the Drug Act, 2035.
Led by the Nepal Trade Federation, traders protested on Friday against provisions that impose a 100% penalty for delayed licence renewal and automatic cancellation of licences and certificates on the 31st day after expiry.
They urged authorities to annul such rules immediately.
The protesters argued that delays caused by administrative or technical issues should not be treated as negligence and called for a system that offers a practical and supportive solution for renewals.
Shubhman Shrestha, General Secretary of the Nepal Pharmaceutical Association, Kathmandu Chapter, said the government’s prolonged indifference to their genuine concerns had forced them to resort to a sit-in.
He urged the government to amend the Drug Act to ensure the protection of pharmaceutical entrepreneurs, create a conducive business environment, and introduce policies aligned with public health interests.
The traders also demanded that the draft of the new Drug Act prepared by the Law Commission be expedited for approval and authentication without further delay.
Photos:
