New Delhi: In response to the requirement expressed by various industry associations, the National Pharmaceuticals Pricing Authority (NPPA) has given an extension to the pharmaceutical companies in the country asking them to register under the Ingredient Pharmaceutical Database Management System (IPDMS) till March 31, 2016.

According to an NPPA notice issued the date has been extended a second time round after the first date which was February 15, 2016.

The National Pharmaceuticals Pricing Authority (NPPA) has made clear to all that March 31st , 2016 would be the final submission date for registration and anybody who fails to register on the final call date might lead the NPPA to initiate prosecution proceedings under the provisions of EC Act, 1955 against them. Submission of requisite and mandatory forms under the DPCO, 2013 through IPDMS by March 31 2016, being a compulsion for all.

The notice issued to this effect came when the companies did not comply to the NPPA's earlier orders of a similar nature to register and it held a review meeting with the representatives of pharmaceutical associations who asked the body for more time for online submission of information forms mandated under DPCO 2013 through IPDMS.

Complying to the request of the Pharmaceutical associations for more time the date of submission was further extended with a severe reprimand that failure to submit mandatory data/mandatory returns prescribed under the Drugs (Price Control) Order, 2013 through the IPDMS will attract penal action under the provisions of DPCO, 2013 read with Essential Commodities Act, 1955.

NPPA also made clear to the Pharma Associations that it may be constrained to initiate prosecution proceedings under the provisions of EC Act, 1955 against companies which fail to register and submit forms called for by it by March 31st, 2016.