AGARTALA, Nov 19 (TIWN): Tripura Chemist and Druggist association across Teliamura Municipal council to call for strike in the coming days to raise voice against the rise in license fee for running the pharmacies.

The association also claimed that the rise in the license fee of pharmacist has been hampering the small and medium chemist shop and which may lead to shut down of their shops.

It is to be mentioned here that the fees for licensing and registration of drugs and health service providers, including drug shops and pharmacies is being doubled. Under the revised fees structure, renewing a licence to operate a retail pharmacy in Teliamura cost much higher than Agartala. 

The operational costs have risen over the years, have to pay utilities, send inspectors and the cost of reagents for the laboratories have increased.

The pharmacy owners defended the increment in licensing fees saying they had not been doubled in nearly ten years.

Under the new structure, a new license to operate a drug shop costs huge at Teliamura.

The same costs apply to renewal of the licence. This, however, excludes costs of inspection and ascertaining suitability of premises.

Fees for operating licences and approval of premises for a pharmaceutical manufacturing plant cost a lot.

Health service providers said the increment in licensing charges would affect the price of their supplies.

 "The increase in costs will eventually be borne by the client. We are already pressed with rent and financing obligations," said pharmacy owners 

"Although such increment can be justifiable, it is harder to absorb at once, given the uncertainties of the market such as fluctuation in foreign exchange rates and inflation."  

Raising voice against the rise of double rate of license fee the Tripura chemist and druggist association has decided to go for strike.