INDIA HAS SUFFICIENT LAWS WITH TEETH for CONSUMER PROTECTION. SHOULD MAKE USE OF THEM :
1. Consumer Protection Act, 2019
This Act safeguards consumers against unfair trade practices, including excessive pricing.
2. Other Relevant Laws:
*Competition Act, 2002: Prohibits anti-competitive practices such as price-fixing and collusion that could artificially inflate prices.
*Industries (Development and Regulation) Act, 1951: Allows the government to regulate prices in industries deemed essential to the economy.
*The Standards of Weights and Measures Act, 1976 & The Legal Metrology Act, 2009: Establish standards for weights and measures while regulating trade and commerce involving goods sold by weight, measure, or number.
*The Prevention of Black-Marketing and Maintenance of Supplies of Essential Commodities Act, 1980: Helps curb hoarding and black-marketing of essential commodities.
Drug Price Control in India
*The Drug Price Control Order (DPCO), 1970, was a landmark regulation that laid the foundation for consumer price control in the pharmaceutical industry. Before its introduction, pharmaceutical companies—especially multinational corporations—operated with unchecked pricing power.
*Impact of DPCO, 1970: * It categorized drugs and medicines to establish different profit levels. The government introduced a *Maximum Allowable Post-Manufacturing Expense (MAPE), which capped the profit margin a manufacturer could add to production costs.
* Drug Categorization under DPCO
- Category I: Essential drugs for primary healthcare (e.g., painkillers, antipyretics, vitamins, tuberculosis medication) – lowest permitted MAPE.
- Category II: Drugs critical for secondary healthcare – slightly higher MAPE than Category I.
-Category III: Less essential drugs (e.g., hormones, stimulants) – highest permitted MAPE. The MAPE system was generally well-accepted by the public, though pharmaceutical companies found it restrictive.
*Price Fixation and Role of NPPA
The Essential Commodities Act empowers the government to fix ceiling prices for essential drugs, with the National Pharmaceutical Pricing Authority (NPPA) responsible for: Price fixation and monitoring compliance, Reviewing and approving manufacturer price proposals based on DPCO guidelines.
Over time, lobbying efforts led to modifications in the price control framework. However, Categories I and II continue to have strict MAPE restrictions with reasonable changes, unless newer-generation drugs are introduced.
#The DPCO, 1970, remains a pioneering measure in price control and the enforcement of Maximum Retail Price (MRP) regulations, ensuring affordability and accessibility of essential medicines for consumers.
Local circles itself has 3 Platforms for consumer connected issues . Connected Consumers, Consumer participation and Weight & Measures. Make the best use if it and put down, Black marketing , unrealistic prizes. Jai Hind more
This Act safeguards consumers against unfair trade practices, including excessive pricing.
2. Other Relevant Laws:
*Competition Act, 2002: Prohibits anti-competitive practices such as price-fixing and collusion that could artificially inflate prices.
*Industries (Development and Regulation) Act, 1951: Allows the government to regulate prices in industries deemed essential to the economy.
*The Standards of Weights and Measures Act, 1976 & The Legal Metrology Act, 2009: Establish standards for weights and measures while regulating trade and commerce involving goods sold by weight, measure, or number.
*The Prevention of Black-Marketing and Maintenance of Supplies of Essential Commodities Act, 1980: Helps curb hoarding and black-marketing of essential commodities.
Drug Price Control in India
*The Drug Price Control Order (DPCO), 1970, was a landmark regulation that laid the foundation for consumer price control in the pharmaceutical industry. Before its introduction, pharmaceutical companies—especially multinational corporations—operated with unchecked pricing power.
*Impact of DPCO, 1970: * It categorized drugs and medicines to establish different profit levels. The government introduced a *Maximum Allowable Post-Manufacturing Expense (MAPE), which capped the profit margin a manufacturer could add to production costs.
* Drug Categorization under DPCO
- Category I: Essential drugs for primary healthcare (e.g., painkillers, antipyretics, vitamins, tuberculosis medication) – lowest permitted MAPE.
- Category II: Drugs critical for secondary healthcare – slightly higher MAPE than Category I.
-Category III: Less essential drugs (e.g., hormones, stimulants) – highest permitted MAPE. The MAPE system was generally well-accepted by the public, though pharmaceutical companies found it restrictive.
*Price Fixation and Role of NPPA
The Essential Commodities Act empowers the government to fix ceiling prices for essential drugs, with the National Pharmaceutical Pricing Authority (NPPA) responsible for: Price fixation and monitoring compliance, Reviewing and approving manufacturer price proposals based on DPCO guidelines.
Over time, lobbying efforts led to modifications in the price control framework. However, Categories I and II continue to have strict MAPE restrictions with reasonable changes, unless newer-generation drugs are introduced.
#The DPCO, 1970, remains a pioneering measure in price control and the enforcement of Maximum Retail Price (MRP) regulations, ensuring affordability and accessibility of essential medicines for consumers.
Local circles itself has 3 Platforms for consumer connected issues . Connected Consumers, Consumer participation and Weight & Measures. Make the best use if it and put down, Black marketing , unrealistic prizes. Jai Hind more
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While we have highest number of laws aiming at consumers' interest protection, we also have largest number of instances of law abusing multiplied with corruption and indifferent/lethargic attitude of the concerned departments/officials. In a nutshell, the consumers are often denied/deprived of the benefits of these laws aiming to protect, in absence of their proper implementation and follow-up. more
Feb 03
Do they really help citizen voters consumers ? example sent complaint to Co law Borad with proofs as well - excuses only ? Insurance health on doctors advice treatment taken day care claimed covered in policy document claim not settled - screen shot customer sends - back office to party on;ly ? Was citizen born - if so how many born downloaded from technology percentage of full population - stuck up online who helps at fair costs also ? ????? on a written complaint it should be officers start working or no salaries why not? more
Feb 02
Do they really help the consumers.. I had lodged complaint with SEBI regarding shares issue. In auto generated mail I was assured that necessary will be taken. More than nine months over nothing has been done.. I had sent reminders too Get Outlook for Android ________________________________ From: Jayakumar Daniel Sent: Saturday, February 1, 2025 4:16:09 PM To: mukeshdimri@hotmail.com Subject: "INDIA HAS SUFFICIENT LAWS..." more
Feb 01
