Date:11/11/2006 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2006/11/11/stories/2006111114910400.htm

Tamil Nadu - Chennai

``Medical shops will charge taxes till stocks are cleared''

Staff Reporter

CHENNAI : Until stocks are cleared, medical shops will continue to charge local taxes extra on drugs manufactured before October 2, the Tamil Nadu Chemists and Druggists Association (TNCDA) said on Thursday.

"There is confusion among people about why taxes are charged in addition to the maximum retail price (MRP) even after the Central Government's decision to make prices inclusive of taxes. But the decision applies to only drugs manufactured after October 1, 2006," M. Arulkumar, association secretary, said at a press conference.

The stocks bearing the words `MRP + local taxes extra' would be cleared within three to six months, Mr. Arulkumar assured.

The TNCDA will also put out posters to clarify any pricing-related queries in all member chemist shops, he said.