Guwahati: The Triennial General Meeting of the Assam Pharmaceutical Association was held at Aniya Edition, 9th Mile, Guwahati, under the chairmanship of its President, Prafulla Chandra Sarmah.
The meeting began with the hoisting of the association’s flag by the president. General Secretary Ranjan Kumar Deka presented the activity report, while Treasurer Sourav Lilha presented the financial report. Both reports were approved unanimously after discussion.
Addressing the meeting, Prafulla Chandra Sarmah highlighted the association’s role since its formation in 1955 in ensuring the supply of medicines across the Northeast. He praised members for maintaining the supply of essential medicines and vaccines during the COVID-19 pandemic despite major transportation challenges.
The meeting adopted a resolution urging the Prime Minister’s Office to introduce subsidised air cargo services for the transportation of essential medicines to Manipur, citing the sharp rise in air cargo charges. Similar support was also sought for Mizoram and Tripura during periods of road disruption caused by floods and landslides.
The association also decided to provide a one-time education grant to the children of employees of member firms pursuing graduation and post-graduation studies.
During the meeting, Secretary Sanjiv Dev Choudhury spoke about current challenges facing the pharmaceutical trade, including the circulation of spurious and substandard medicines. He also expressed concern over online medicine sales and unethical discount practices, stating that such activities violate provisions of the Drugs and Cosmetics Act, 1940.
As part of a special felicitation programme, the association honoured Mujibur Rahman of Shanti Ananth Niwas, Nalbari, for his work in providing shelter to abandoned elderly people, and Kumud Kalita of Topoban, Pathsala, for his three decades of service to specially-abled children.
The association and its member Sanjiv Dev Choudhury provided financial assistance of Rs 50,000 each to Rahman and Kalita in recognition of their contributions.
The meeting also felicitated senior association member and former president D P Bajaj, Drug Controller-in-Charge Biswajeet Talukder, Food Safety Licensing Officer Anil Sarma, and Birendra Kumar Barman.
The meeting elected a new committee with Prafulla Chandra Sarmah as President, Ranjan Kumar Deka as General Secretary, and Raja Bajaj as Treasurer.
