Money
Police release pharma officials
The police late Saturday released the officials of Lomus Pharmaceuticals and Deurali-Janta Pharmaceuticals Private Limited.The police late Saturday released the officials of Lomus Pharmaceuticals and Deurali-Janta Pharmaceuticals Private Limited.
Conducting raids at the warehouses of the companies on Friday, the police had arrested Lomus’ directors Prawal Jung Pandey and Prajwol Jung Pandey and Deurali-Janta’s General Manager Nil Raj Acharya and Manager Nigam Adhikari, on charge of selling medicines at prices higher than the government-fixed maximum retail prices (MRP).
Private sector bodies— Federation of Nepalese Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FNCCI), Confederation of Nepalese Industries (CNI) and Nepal Chamber of Commerce (NCC)— expressed strong reservations over the government’s action, terming the raids and arrests “ill-timed”, and warning of strong protests.
Pharmaceutical companies on Saturday had warned of shutting down their factories and distribution networks if the arrested were not released at the earliest. Superintendent of Police Pradyumna Kumar Karki, spokesperson for Metropolitan Police Range, Teku, said the arrestees were released on condition that they will present themselves to police when demanded.
The Police had on Saturday said they were planning to file cases against the arrested in the Kathmandu District Court on Sunday on charge of black-marketeering. “Although we had planned to file cases, we felt the case needed further evidences,” said Karki.
According to the police, there are also some technical issues regarding the pricing of medicines which need further study.
Former FNCCI President Pradeep Jung Pandey owns Lomus, whereas Deurali Janta is owned by newly elected CNI President Hari Bhakta Sharma.
Sharma said the authorities didn’t give them an opportunity to clarify on pricing. “At a time when businesses are yet to recover from the impact of the April 25 earthquake and blockade, they are being harassed instead of being encouraged,” he said.
The Cabinet on July 6, 2015, had fixed MRPs of 96 medicines and had asked drug makers and retailers to implement the rates by January 31, 2016. Against the government’s move, pharma companies have filed a write in the Supreme Court.