Why are Medicine Dealers Protesting?

Medicine dealers across Nepal have launched protests against strict provisions introduced in the amended Drugs Act, 2035 (1978), which impose heavy fines and even license cancellation for failure to renew business permits on time.

The government amended the Act in July, introducing tougher rules on license renewal. Opposing the changes, pharmaceutical traders staged a sit-in protest at the Department of Drug Administration on Sunday as part of their ongoing agitation.

According to the amendment made to Section 11(3) of the Act, traders who fail to renew their license before its expiry are liable to a 100 percent fine. Section 11(5) further states that licenses and certificates will be automatically revoked after the 3 days. Claiming that these provisions are anti-business and discouraging to entrepreneurs, the traders have demanded the government to revoke it. They have also formed a struggle committee to intensify the protest.

Committee coordinator Shobhman Shrestha said the amended provisions were intended to displace drug entrepreneurs. He warned that if the government failed to address their demands by December 3, the traders would be forced to launch stronger protest programs. He said traders have continued operating pharmacies in consideration of public health and announced a phased closure plan. They shut down shops for one hour on Sunday, and are planning a nationwide shutdown for two hours on Monday, and increasing the duration by one hour until the deadline.

Government–Traders Talks Inconclusive

Representatives of the protesting traders held talks with the Department of Drug Administration on Sunday, but the meeting ended without a concrete outcome. Another round of discussions has been scheduled.

Shrestha, who is also the general secretary of the Kathmandu district branch of the Nepal Drug Traders Association, said they met with the department’s director general, who pledged to facilitate solutions within his authority and to raise unresolved issues with the Ministry of Health and Population. The director general said he discussed the matter with the ministry but added that provisions amended by Parliament could not be revoked by the department.

However, a three-party meeting involving the Health Ministry, the Department of Drug Administration and drug traders has been scheduled for Monday. The traders said protest programs, including sit-ins, would continue until their demands are addressed.

Pharmacists Distance Themselves from Protest

The Nepal Pharmaceutical Association has distanced itself from the drug traders’ protest, stating that pharmacy operators are not involved in the agitation. The association urged its members to continue providing regular pharmacy services, saying pharmaceutical services are directly linked to the protection of citizens’ lives and are a highly sensitive sector. In a statement issued on Sunday, the association clarified that it has no involvement in any form of strike, shutdown or protest.