Pharmacy entrepreneurs launch protest against revised drug act
On Tuesday, businessmen gathered at the Department of Drug Administration (DDA) office in Bijulibazar, Kathmandu, initiating their agitation.
KATHMANDU: Pharmacy entrepreneurs have begun protests against the government, demanding the immediate withdrawal of penalty and dissolution provisions included in the revised Drug Act.
On Tuesday, businessmen gathered at the Department of Drug Administration (DDA) office in Bijulibazar, Kathmandu, initiating their agitation.
They objected to provisions that automatically cancel an organization’s registration if it is not renewed within a month, calling the move unconstitutional.
Shubhman Shrestha, General Secretary of the Nepal Pharmacy Entrepreneurs Association, Kathmandu chapter, said they were compelled to protest because the new provisions undermine fair business practices.
He warned that the protest would escalate if their demands are not addressed within nine days.
“The revised Drug Act 2035 now imposes a 100 percent penalty the very next day after our renewal deadline expires. Even the Constitution does not permit such punitive action,” Shrestha said. “We are independent and transparent entrepreneurs. Treating us like criminals with heavy fines and cancellation provisions is unacceptable. If renewal is not done within 30 days, our registration gets annulled — we strongly oppose this. Our bottom-line demand is that Sub-clause 5 be fully revoked.”
The revised Act requires pharmacies and related institutions to renew their registration within one month, failing which they face automatic cancellation. Entrepreneurs have also rejected the provision mandating a 100 percent renewal fee if renewal is delayed, calling it impractical and unfair.
