Compoundingu2014paying a fine rather than going to jail for some offencesu2014will be made possible by a proposed amendment. This clause and the possibility of an out-of-court settlement are feared to weaken the effort to combat subpar medications.
Source: Tribune India
There is concern that the makers would get off easy as a result of this. The claim that the modifications do not apply to tainted and fraudulent pharmaceuticals that injure people is also being disputed. How was the determination of what is safe and what is not made?
By amending 42 laws, the Jan Vishwas Bill seeks to increase business accessibility. By eliminating provisions for jail or changing some fines to punishments that do not need prosecution, it intends to decriminalise minor infractions and rationalise punishment. The administration is adamant that Section 27D of the Drugs Act would keep the criminal provision of a one- to two-year sentence.
Source: CNBC- TV 18
Compounding does provide a way to avoid going to jail by making a payment, though. The section is about misbranded medications, which the government alleges include minor flaws such labelling, discoloration, and disintegration. It is necessary to allay concerns that the action is pro-big business and anti-consumer. The administration should permit a more extensive discussion in the Rajya Sabha. Democracy is built on a foundation of transparency.
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