Consumer authority to control prices of medicinal drugs and vitamins

The prices of medicinal drugs and vitamins will come under the control of the Consumer Affairs Authority (CAA) from 1 January 2013.

The CAA has in a Gazette Extraordinary directed the manufacturers and importers of pharmaceuticals and vitamins to mark the maximum retail price on the packs/containers.

The manufacturers and importers have also been asked to specify the batch number, date of manufacture, date of expiry, the strength and name and address of the manufacturer or the importer on the packs.

CAA Chairman Rumy Marzook, has requested the manufacturers and importers to provide the CAA with the current retail selling prices of every pharmaceutical or vitamin.

The Gazette states that where any brand of such pharmaceutical or vitamin is manufactured and imported subsequent to the date or this direction, the information must be furnished to the CAA before such pharmaceutical or vitamin is made available for sale.