CHENNAI: A bi-lingual labelling system for pharmaceutical drugs under which essential details of the drug such as its name and the manufacturing and expiry dates ought to be printed in English and Hindi will come into force from April 1.

From the same date, another system under which the packaging should specify the maximum retail price (MRP) inclusive of all taxes will also take effect.

Though April 1 is the prescribed date, the Department of Chemicals and Petrochemicals has decided to give time to the manufacturers till August 15 on the issue of MRP and till October 2 to switchover to the bi-lingual labelling, said Secretary Satwant Reddy. Counting them among customer-friendly measures mooted by the Department, she told the inaugural session of a seminar here on Wednesday that another initiative under consideration was to insist on the manufacturers providing details about the drug — especially the side effects — in a reader-friendly fashion. Though literature about many of the drugs was being made available at present, such details were in fine print, and hence not easy to read.

The two-day seminar on `pharmaceutical drugs and cosmetics-consumer concern' is being organised by Concert (a centre for consumer education, researching, teaching, training and testing) to mark the world consumer day.

Noting that the Department was engaged in formulating a National Pharmaceuticals Policy, Ms. Reddy said there were plans to launch a major campaign for creating consumer awareness. A web site giving information about the drugs' quality, pricing and availability would be hosted, in assistance with the Department of Consumer Affairs, next year.

Among other things, the policy would set the trade margins (for wholesalers and dealers) for generic and branded drugs.

Replying to queries, she said at present pharmaceutical drugs only carried MRP exclusive of all taxes. On the differential tax structure in the States, Ms. Reddy said taking that into consideration the manufacturers would work out a common price. The prices of the drugs, however, would not increase.

Sheela Rani Chunkath, Secretary, Tamil Nadu Department of Health and Family Welfare, called for involving the youth and doctors to promote consumer awareness of drugs and pharmaceuticals. The Indian system of medicine such as Ayurveda and Siddha were a `treasure trove.' The need was to set standards for them.

S. Ramakrishnan, Principal Commissioner, State Information Commission, said simple remedies were the best. Responding to an observation made by R. Desikan, a trustee of Concert, he said those seeking information would not be victimised.

Mr. Desikan said most of the consumer activists were not anti-industries, but only wanted the industries to make "profit in an ethical manner." There was need to create awareness of the pharmaceutical drugs, especially when they were banned, even among doctors.

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