Re: Medical doctors as selling agents of nutraceuticals

[Guest guest]

Dear Mr Rajendra, Dr Vijay, Very interesting article. Looks like our IMA has become an advertising agency which does the work of promoting and endorsing brands. Amway products are expensive. Since the sale is not through shops, nobody knows the product's real price and customers end up paying many times of the actual price. Most of the purchase is only to oblige the dignified person (doctor at times). There are hardly any studies to prove the products' efficacy. -Anupama Vijay <drvijaythawani@...> wrote: A good article from NetRUMian Rajendra Diwe. Mr Diwe is requested to kindly post the tables accompanying this write up directly on NetRUM. Vijay Thawani ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Medical doctors as selling agents of nutraceuticals By Rajendra DiweMany medical doctors from Nagpur, India are also working as the distributors of Amway, a leading multilevel

marketing company and are dispensing products of the company to the patients. It is a very shocking to find that these doctors either dispense or prescribe "Nutrilite" protein powder to the middle class patients which costs INR1600 for 500 gms. The prescribers include orthopedic surgeons, gyanaecologists, gastro-entrologists, cardiac specialists and general practitioners. The products are either dispensed by the doctors or they are kept at the adjoining medical stores. The commonly recommended products by these doctors include protein supplements, anti oxidants, calcium supplements, iron and folic acid and anti-obesity products etc Amway does not have any drug license neither these products are prescription products. Still the products are available in tablets and capsules. They are termed as food supplements. Also on their label the contents are mentioned and also dosage. One patient, who is a government servant, submitted a bill of

medical stores which contains a protein supplement from Amway which is prescribed by orthopedician, to the insurance company for reimbursement, the company denied saying that the same is not medicine.<!--[if !supportLineBreakNewLine]--><!--[endif]--> Doctors working as agents of Amway routinely conduct the sales and marketing meetings in Indian Medical Association hall. Nutrilite Iron and Folic Acid is available for Rs 679 for 90 tablets, while Omega-3 fatty acid capsules costs Rs 1149 for 60 capsules, the garlic capsules of Amway cost 699 for 60 capsules, the ginseng capsules of Amway cost Rs 2369 for 100 tablets. When compared with the same combinations of other brands of the standard companies in market it was found that the Amway's products are costing five to ten times more. The Indian FDA officials feel that Amway is a real head ache for them. The products

are neither drugs nor the food supplements. Hence, FDA has no direct control on these products. The products are available with the marketing agents of Amway hence, no body knows what is the stock, how much quantity is sold by a doctor or chemist, in addition the product availability on other counters is so low that it is not sufficient to send the same for laboratory tests. In India the National Pharmaceutical Pricing Authority (NPPA) has fixed the prices of protein, vitamins and mineral supplements. The pharmaceutical companies escape this by marketing these products as nutraceuticals under food license and thus price them higher than the controlled cost. Amway is selling 10 products under nutrition and health supplement which are costing five to ten times more than other parallel nutraceuticals. While NPPA is claiming that the prices of multivitamins and minerals are controlled, the companies like Amway are minting

huge profits by making doctors as their selling agents. #

Explore your hobbies and interests. Click here to begin.

[Guest guest]

Hi Anupama,

Rajendra has come out with research data about the pricing of Amway

products as well as comparative brands. Hence I asked him to post the

tables. Will some member from Nagpur kindly call him and draw his

attention to this request?

Vijay

> A good article from NetRUMian Rajendra Diwe. Mr Diwe is

requested to kindly post the tables accompanying this write up

directly on NetRUM.

>

> Vijay Thawani

>

>

------------------------------------------------------------------------

>

> Medical doctors as selling agents of nutraceuticals

> By Rajendra Diwe

>

> Many medical doctors from Nagpur, India are also working as the

distributors of Amway, a leading multilevel marketing company and are

dispensing products of the company to the patients. It is a very

shocking to find that these doctors either dispense or prescribe

" Nutrilite " protein powder to the middle class patients which costs

INR1600 for 500 gms. The prescribers include orthopedic surgeons,

gyanaecologists, gastro-entrologists, cardiac specialists and general

practitioners. The products are either dispensed by the doctors or

they are kept at the adjoining medical stores. The commonly

recommended products by these doctors include protein supplements,

anti oxidants, calcium supplements, iron and folic acid and

anti-obesity products etc

>

> Amway does not have any drug license neither these products are

prescription products. Still the products are available in tablets and

capsules. They are termed as food supplements. Also on their label the

contents are mentioned and also dosage. One patient, who is a

government servant, submitted a bill of medical stores which contains

a protein supplement from Amway which is prescribed by orthopedician,

to the insurance company for reimbursement, the company denied saying

that the same is not medicine.

> <!--[if !supportLineBreakNewLine]-->

> <!--[endif]-->

> Doctors working as agents of Amway routinely conduct the sales and

marketing meetings in Indian Medical Association hall. Nutrilite Iron

and Folic Acid is available for Rs 679 for 90 tablets, while Omega-3

fatty acid capsules costs Rs 1149 for 60 capsules, the garlic capsules

of Amway cost 699 for 60 capsules, the ginseng capsules of Amway cost

Rs 2369 for 100 tablets. When compared with the same combinations of

other brands of the standard companies in market it was found that the

Amway's products are costing five to ten times more.

>

> The Indian FDA officials feel that Amway is a real head ache for

them. The products are neither drugs nor the food supplements. Hence,

FDA has no direct control on these products. The products are

available with the marketing agents of Amway hence, no body knows what

is the stock, how much quantity is sold by a doctor or chemist, in

addition the product availability on other counters is so low that it

is not sufficient to send the same for laboratory tests.

>

> In India the National Pharmaceutical Pricing Authority (NPPA) has

fixed the prices of protein, vitamins and mineral supplements. The

pharmaceutical companies escape this by marketing these products as

nutraceuticals under food license and thus price them higher than the

controlled cost. Amway is selling 10 products under nutrition and

health supplement which are costing five to ten times more than other

parallel nutraceuticals. While NPPA is claiming that the prices of

multivitamins and minerals are controlled, the companies like Amway

are minting huge profits by making doctors as their selling agents. #

>

>

>

>

>

>

> ---------------------------------

> Explore your hobbies and interests. Click here to begin.

>

[Guest guest]

Dear Mr Rajendra and Dr Vijay, Tables have been made very well. There are many fold difference in prices between Indian and Amway nutraceutics. A reason could also be that the prices are a direct conversion in INR of their price in US Dollars. However the Amway factories are also located in Delhi, Kutch-Gujarat...to cater to the Indian market. Then why charge equivalent to Dollars? The Indian medicines are priced much cheaper than their equivalents in US. We can see the NRIs packing their yearly medicine ration and taking them to US. -AnupamaVijay <drvijaythawani@...> wrote: Hi Anupama,Rajendra has come out with research data about the pricing of Amwayproducts as well as comparative brands. Hence I asked him to post thetables. Will some member from Nagpur kindly call him and draw hisattention to this request?Vijay> A good article from NetRUMian Rajendra Diwe. Mr Diwe isrequested to kindly post the tables accompanying this write updirectly on NetRUM.> > Vijay Thawani> > ----------------------------------------------------------> > Medical doctors as selling agents of nutraceuticals> By Rajendra Diwe> > Many medical doctors from Nagpur, India are also working as thedistributors of Amway, a leading multilevel marketing company and aredispensing products of the company to the patients. It is a veryshocking to find that these doctors either dispense or prescribe"Nutrilite" protein powder to the middle class patients which costsINR1600 for 500 gms. The prescribers include

orthopedic surgeons,gyanaecologists, gastro-entrologists, cardiac specialists and generalpractitioners. The products are either dispensed by the doctors orthey are kept at the adjoining medical stores. The commonlyrecommended products by these doctors include protein supplements,anti oxidants, calcium supplements, iron and folic acid andanti-obesity products etc> > Amway does not have any drug license neither these products areprescription products. Still the products are available in tablets andcapsules. They are termed as food supplements. Also on their label thecontents are mentioned and also dosage. One patient, who is agovernment servant, submitted a bill of medical stores which containsa protein supplement from Amway which is prescribed by orthopedician,to the insurance company for reimbursement, the company denied sayingthat the same is not medicine.> <!--[if

!supportLineBreakNewLine]-->> <!--[endif]-->> Doctors working as agents of Amway routinely conduct the sales andmarketing meetings in Indian Medical Association hall. Nutrilite Ironand Folic Acid is available for Rs 679 for 90 tablets, while Omega-3fatty acid capsules costs Rs 1149 for 60 capsules, the garlic capsulesof Amway cost 699 for 60 capsules, the ginseng capsules of Amway costRs 2369 for 100 tablets. When compared with the same combinations ofother brands of the standard companies in market it was found that theAmway's products are costing five to ten times more. > > The Indian FDA officials feel that Amway is a real head ache forthem. The products are neither drugs nor the food supplements. Hence,FDA has no direct control on these products. The products areavailable with the marketing agents of Amway hence, no body knows whatis the stock, how much quantity is sold by a

doctor or chemist, inaddition the product availability on other counters is so low that itis not sufficient to send the same for laboratory tests. > > In India the National Pharmaceutical Pricing Authority (NPPA) hasfixed the prices of protein, vitamins and mineral supplements. Thepharmaceutical companies escape this by marketing these products asnutraceuticals under food license and thus price them higher than thecontrolled cost. Amway is selling 10 products under nutrition andhealth supplement which are costing five to ten times more than otherparallel nutraceuticals. While NPPA is claiming that the prices ofmultivitamins and minerals are controlled, the companies like Amwayare minting huge profits by making doctors as their selling agents. #> > > > > > > ---------------------------------> Explore your hobbies and interests. Click here to

begin.>

Bring your gang together. Do your thing. Find your favourite Group.

[Guest guest]

Dear Dr. Anupama,

Thank you very much about the reply on price

difference between Indian and Amway nutraceutics.

This is another issue why Amway is charging such a

huge price. The main concern is that whether the poor

people/patients in India can afford such a costly non

drug and useless food (so called) supplement. A person

like me is managing my family two times food in less

than Rs.1600 (If you want a break up my family

belonging to four persons need Wheat 10 kg (Rs 20 x

10= Rs 200/-), Rice 5 kg (Rs 20x 5=Rs 100/-), Pulses 2

Kg (Rs 40 X 2=Rs 80/-) Vegetable ½ kg per day (@ Rs

10/- per half kg =Rs 300/-), Milk 1 litre per day (@

Rs 20 per day = Rs 600/-) and cooking oil 3 kg per

month @ Rs 100 per month =Rs 300/-. This means when in

this time of high inflation rate of 8 a poor person

like me can maintain my family in Rs 1580/- with two

times food a day. The cost of 200 gm of Nutralite the

so called American Amway protein powder which doctor

gives to patients cost must more than the monthly

budget of middle class family in India. In India how

many people can really afford to have food for two

times. The budget I have given is sufficient to give

all nutritional values. As a doctor please tell me how

much quantity of Vitamin A, B, C, D, E, K , minerals

and proteins are required? When such is a case when a

Orthopedic surgeon in Nagpur who is an agent of Amway

is forcefully prescribing or dispensing the Amway

products to a lower middle class person, is it

justifiable? Protein power, the great doctor in my

town has advised to this poor person as “Take 20 gms

thrice a day means 60 gms per day hence, he has to

spend Rs 16,000/- approximately on Amway’s protein

power. This poor patient has applied for loan to

purchase the protein power to a bank. Amway’s garlic

capsules costs Rs 600 nearly the cost of Garlic in

market is Rs 40 per kg. Amway’s Iron Folic combination

is costing much more i.e. beyond the rich of common

man. My question is that when there are companies

which are standard companies manufacturing these

protein vitamins and mineral supplements under drug

control and their costs are much less then why doctors

are suggesting Amway’s product. Amway is neither a

pharmaceutical company. You can see the label of Iron

folic acid combination or Glucosamine of Amway, they

are certainly irrational combinations. Now about Amway

chain marketing. Amway is giving a kit of its products

to first agent who is a distributor for Rs 2500/-. It

contains all Health and Nutrition Products. If that

distributor sells it to another customer he can earn

Rs 25000/- as per MRP. In addition, he has to build a

chain by adding agents like him. This means he can

work either as a motivator or distributor. In Nagpur

at present there more than 100 leading doctors who are

the distributors of Amway. They are pushing these

health supplements to the patients admitted in their

hospitals. Amway is a multi crore company. It is

banned in America. FDA in US has not permitted to sell

the health and nutrition products through chain

marketing. But In India, there is no legal control on

such companies. If you search, there are 20+ companies

in India like Amway, DXN which are selling the

products in the name of health and nutrition through

chain marketing. From all this discussion you will be

able to know whose health and whose nutrition has been

improved by such companies in India. Amway has 20+

thousand agents in Nagpur, DXN has 34+ thousand agents

in Nagpur. And if you go in details about the side

effects and the money spent and generated by such

product,s this will be another story. Where are we

really going? Who will stop this? Who will intervene?

I tried once in 2003 when I published an exposure on

DXN…the experience of the same I can’t forget. Some

times I feel that the educated impotent like me has

nothing in hand to work for community, than only to

discuss.

Thanking you once again for reply.

Rajendra Diwe

--- anupama sukhlecha <anupama_acad@...>

wrote:

> Dear Mr Rajendra and Dr Vijay,

> Tables have been made very well. There are many

> fold difference in prices between Indian and Amway

> nutraceutics. A reason could also be that the prices

> are a direct conversion in INR of their price in US

> Dollars. However the Amway factories are also

> located in Delhi, Kutch-Gujarat...to cater to the

> Indian market. Then why charge equivalent to

> Dollars?

> The Indian medicines are priced much cheaper

> than their equivalents in US.

> We can see the NRIs packing their yearly

> medicine ration and taking them to US.

> -Anupama

>

> Vijay <drvijaythawani@...> wrote:

> Hi Anupama,

> Rajendra has come out with research data about the

> pricing of Amway

> products as well as comparative brands. Hence I

> asked him to post the

> tables. Will some member from Nagpur kindly call him

> and draw his

> attention to this request?

> Vijay

>

> > A good article from NetRUMian Rajendra Diwe. Mr

> Diwe is

> requested to kindly post the tables accompanying

> this write up

> directly on NetRUM.

> >

> > Vijay Thawani

> >

> >

>

----------------------------------------------------------

> >

> > Medical doctors as selling agents of

> nutraceuticals

> > By Rajendra Diwe

> >

> > Many medical doctors from Nagpur, India are also

> working as the

> distributors of Amway, a leading multilevel

> marketing company and are

> dispensing products of the company to the patients.

> It is a very

> shocking to find that these doctors either dispense

> or prescribe

> " Nutrilite " protein powder to the middle class

> patients which costs

> INR1600 for 500 gms. The prescribers include

> orthopedic surgeons,

> gyanaecologists, gastro-entrologists, cardiac

> specialists and general

> practitioners. The products are either dispensed by

> the doctors or

> they are kept at the adjoining medical stores. The

> commonly

> recommended products by these doctors include

> protein supplements,

> anti oxidants, calcium supplements, iron and folic

> acid and

> anti-obesity products etc

> >

> > Amway does not have any drug license neither these

> products are

> prescription products. Still the products are

> available in tablets and

> capsules. They are termed as food supplements. Also

> on their label the

> contents are mentioned and also dosage. One patient,

> who is a

> government servant, submitted a bill of medical

> stores which contains

> a protein supplement from Amway which is prescribed

> by orthopedician,

> to the insurance company for reimbursement, the

> company denied saying

> that the same is not medicine.

> > <!--[if !supportLineBreakNewLine]-->

> > <!--[endif]-->

> > Doctors working as agents of Amway routinely

> conduct the sales and

> marketing meetings in Indian Medical Association

> hall. Nutrilite Iron

> and Folic Acid is available for Rs 679 for 90

> tablets, while Omega-3

> fatty acid capsules costs Rs 1149 for 60 capsules,

> the garlic capsules

> of Amway cost 699 for 60 capsules, the ginseng

> capsules of Amway cost

> Rs 2369 for 100 tablets. When compared with the same

> combinations of

> other brands of the standard companies in market it

> was found that the

> Amway's products are costing five to ten times more.

>

> >

> > The Indian FDA officials feel that Amway is a real

> head ache for

> them. The products are neither drugs nor the food

> supplements. Hence,

> FDA has no direct control on these products. The

> products are

> available with the marketing agents of Amway hence,

> no body knows what

> is the stock, how much quantity is sold by a doctor

> or chemist, in

> addition the product availability on other counters

> is so low that it

> is not sufficient to send the same for laboratory

> tests.

> >

> > In India the National Pharmaceutical Pricing

> Authority (NPPA) has

> fixed the prices of protein, vitamins and mineral

> supplements. The

> pharmaceutical companies escape this by marketing

> these products as

> nutraceuticals under food license and thus price

> them higher than the

> controlled cost. Amway is selling 10 products under

> nutrition and

> health supplement which are costing five to ten

> times more than other

> parallel nutraceuticals. While NPPA is claiming that

> the prices of

> multivitamins and minerals are controlled, the

> companies like Amway

> are minting huge profits by making doctors as their

> selling agents. #

> >

> >

> >

> >

> >

> >

> > ---------------------------------

> > Explore your hobbies and interests. Click here to

> begin.

> >

>

>

>

>

>

>

> ---------------------------------

> Bring your gang together. Do your thing. Find your

> favourite Group.

Send instant messages to your online friends http://uk.messenger.

[Guest guest]

hello Rajen,

I went thru your mail with great interest. If you at your age are losing heart, what will happen to our younger generation?

We are not simply discussing the issues. we are spreading the message , so that someone somewhere will take cognizance and slowly, we will bring about change. It is not only Netrum that is concerned about these issues All over India, there are many righteous people who try to do their own bit.

dont lose heart. Rajen .you are doing good work and you will be rewarded surely.

kunda> Hi Anupama,> Rajendra has come out with research data about the> pricing of Amway> products as well as comparative brands. Hence I> asked him to post the> tables. Will some member from Nagpur kindly call him> and draw his> attention to this request?> Vijay> > > A good article from NetRUMian Rajendra Diwe. Mr> Diwe is> requested to kindly post the tables accompanying> this write up> directly on NetRUM.> > > > Vijay Thawani> > > > >------------ --------- --------- --------- --------- --------- -> > > > Medical doctors as

selling agents of> nutraceuticals> > By Rajendra Diwe> > > > Many medical doctors from Nagpur, India are also> working as the> distributors of Amway, a leading multilevel> marketing company and are> dispensing products of the company to the patients.> It is a very> shocking to find that these doctors either dispense> or prescribe> "Nutrilite" protein powder to the middle class> patients which costs> INR1600 for 500 gms. The prescribers include> orthopedic surgeons,> gyanaecologists, gastro-entrologists , cardiac> specialists and general> practitioners. The products are either dispensed by> the doctors or> they are kept at the adjoining medical stores. The> commonly> recommended products by these doctors include> protein supplements,> anti oxidants, calcium supplements, iron and

folic> acid and> anti-obesity products etc> > > > Amway does not have any drug license neither these> products are> prescription products. Still the products are> available in tablets and> capsules. They are termed as food supplements. Also> on their label the> contents are mentioned and also dosage. One patient,> who is a> government servant, submitted a bill of medical> stores which contains> a protein supplement from Amway which is prescribed> by orthopedician,> to the insurance company for reimbursement, the> company denied saying> that the same is not medicine.> > <!--[if !supportLineBreakNe wLine]-->> > <!--[endif]- ->> > Doctors working as agents of Amway routinely> conduct the sales and> marketing meetings in Indian Medical Association> hall. Nutrilite

Iron> and Folic Acid is available for Rs 679 for 90> tablets, while Omega-3> fatty acid capsules costs Rs 1149 for 60 capsules,> the garlic capsules> of Amway cost 699 for 60 capsules, the ginseng> capsules of Amway cost> Rs 2369 for 100 tablets. When compared with the same> combinations of> other brands of the standard companies in market it> was found that the> Amway's products are costing five to ten times more.> > > > > The Indian FDA officials feel that Amway is a real> head ache for> them. The products are neither drugs nor the food> supplements. Hence,> FDA has no direct control on these products. The> products are> available with the marketing agents of Amway hence,> no body knows what> is the stock, how much quantity is sold by a doctor> or chemist, in> addition the product

availability on other counters> is so low that it> is not sufficient to send the same for laboratory> tests. > > > > In India the National Pharmaceutical Pricing> Authority (NPPA) has> fixed the prices of protein, vitamins and mineral> supplements. The> pharmaceutical companies escape this by marketing> these products as> nutraceuticals under food license and thus price> them higher than the> controlled cost. Amway is selling 10 products under> nutrition and> health supplement which are costing five to ten> times more than other> parallel nutraceuticals. While NPPA is claiming that> the prices of> multivitamins and minerals are controlled, the> companies like Amway> are minting huge profits by making doctors as their> selling agents. #> > > > > > > >

> > > > > > ------------ --------- --------- ---> > Explore your hobbies and interests. Click here to> begin.> >> > > > > > > ------------ --------- --------- ---> Bring your gang together. Do your thing. Find your> favourite Group.Send instant messages to your online friends http://uk.messenger .

Bollywood, fun, friendship, sports and more. You name it, we have it.

[Guest guest]

Respected Kunda Madam,

Thank you very much for your mail. I am certainly not

loosing heart but you know me well I want some

interventions or results. Madam, also it is surprising

to me that at least after 20 days, The Hitavada has

published my story on Amway today i.e. on May 21. It

is only because the real well wishes and blessings you

and Dr. Thawani have given me. Yesterday only I wrote

some facts to Dr. Anupama and Dr. Thawani Sir. Their

wishes and blessings have resulted in the exposure in

my news paper. I also know that I am not doing any

great things but as a journalist I feel that my role

is to make people aware and make suitable change. With

your blessings I know that we all will make the things

happen. Thaning You

Rajendra

--- kunda gharpure <gharpurekunda@...> wrote:

---------------------------------

hello Rajen,

I went thru your mail with great interest. If you at

your age are losing heart, what will happen to our

younger generation?

We are not simply discussing the issues. we are

spreading the message , so that someone somewhere will

take cognizance and slowly, we will bring about

change. It is not only Netrum that is concerned about

these issues All over India, there are many righteous

people who try to do their own bit.

dont lose heart. Rajen .you are doing good work and

you will be rewarded surely.

kunda

> Hi Anupama,

> Rajendra has come out with research data about the

> pricing of Amway

> products as well as comparative brands. Hence I

> asked him to post the

> tables. Will some member from Nagpur kindly call him

> and draw his

> attention to this request?

> Vijay

>

> > A good article from NetRUMian Rajendra Diwe. Mr

> Diwe is

> requested to kindly post the tables accompanying

> this write up

> directly on NetRUM.

> >

> > Vijay Thawani

> >

> >

>

------------ --------- --------- --------- ---------

--------- -

> >

> > Medical doctors as selling agents of

> nutraceuticals

> > By Rajendra Diwe

> >

> > Many medical doctors from Nagpur, India are also

> working as the

> distributors of Amway, a leading multilevel

> marketing company and are

> dispensing products of the company to the patients.

> It is a very

> shocking to find that these doctors either dispense

> or prescribe

> " Nutrilite " protein powder to the middle class

> patients which costs

> INR1600 for 500 gms. The prescribers include

> orthopedic surgeons,

> gyanaecologists, gastro-entrologists , cardiac

> specialists and general

> practitioners. The products are either dispensed by

> the doctors or

> they are kept at the adjoining medical stores. The

> commonly

> recommended products by these doctors include

> protein supplements,

> anti oxidants, calcium supplements, iron and folic

> acid and

> anti-obesity products etc

> >

> > Amway does not have any drug license neither these

> products are

> prescription products. Still the products are

> available in tablets and

> capsules. They are termed as food supplements. Also

> on their label the

> contents are mentioned and also dosage. One patient,

> who is a

> government servant, submitted a bill of medical

> stores which contains

> a protein supplement from Amway which is prescribed

> by orthopedician,

> to the insurance company for reimbursement, the

> company denied saying

> that the same is not medicine.

> > <!--[if !supportLineBreakNe wLine]-->

> > <!--[endif]- ->

> > Doctors working as agents of Amway routinely

> conduct the sales and

> marketing meetings in Indian Medical Association

> hall. Nutrilite Iron

> and Folic Acid is available for Rs 679 for 90

> tablets, while Omega-3

> fatty acid capsules costs Rs 1149 for 60 capsules,

> the garlic capsules

> of Amway cost 699 for 60 capsules, the ginseng

> capsules of Amway cost

> Rs 2369 for 100 tablets. When compared with the same

> combinations of

> other brands of the standard companies in market it

> was found that the

> Amway's products are costing five to ten times more.

>

> >

> > The Indian FDA officials feel that Amway is a real

> head ache for

> them. The products are neither drugs nor the food

> supplements. Hence,

> FDA has no direct control on these products. The

> products are

> available with the marketing agents of Amway hence,

> no body knows what

> is the stock, how much quantity is sold by a doctor

> or chemist, in

> addition the product availability on other counters

> is so low that it

> is not sufficient to send the same for laboratory

> tests.

> >

> > In India the National Pharmaceutical Pricing

> Authority (NPPA) has

> fixed the prices of protein, vitamins and mineral

> supplements. The

> pharmaceutical companies escape this by marketing

> these products as

> nutraceuticals under food license and thus price

> them higher than the

> controlled cost. Amway is selling 10 products under

> nutrition and

> health supplement which are costing five to ten

> times more than other

> parallel nutraceuticals. While NPPA is claiming that

> the prices of

> multivitamins and minerals are controlled, the

> companies like Amway

> are minting huge profits by making doctors as their

> selling agents. #

> >

> >

> >

> >

> >

> >

> > ------------ --------- --------- ---

> > Explore your hobbies and interests. Click here to

> begin.

> >

>

>

>

>

>

>

> ------------ --------- --------- ---

> Bring your gang together. Do your thing. Find your

> favourite Group.

Send instant messages to your online friends

http://uk.messenger .

---------------------------------

Bollywood, fun, friendship, sports and more. You name

it, we have it.

Send instant messages to your online friends http://uk.messenger.

[Guest guest]

Dear Rajendraji:

The topic you've introduced is highly relevant and thought-provoking. You seem to be having quite extensive experience in issues relating to marketing of pharmaceuticals and promotion practices used for the same. Since presently we are going through a vacant slot at Netrum, how about carrying forward your discussion and you offering yourself as moderator until the next disucussion topic comes into play from 25th instant. You can do justice with the topic and we all can contribute our bit in this direction. I am sure, at the end of the day there will be some concrete suggestions across the board regarding measures required to combat the menace rather scourge of unethical promotional, prescribing and dispensing practices of pharmaceuticals presently in vogue throughout the country. Should there be cleary defined limits by way of explicit legislations for distribution of gifts and other promotional practices by pharmaceutical companies? Though entire

physician community cannot be blaimed for the same, there are some unscruplous people like you've mentioned in your post who have crossed all limits of decency, accountability and humanity. We need to disucuss this issue of potentially dangerous dimensions fraught with serious consequences on the future of our patient care and drug delivery mechanism.

With regards

Dr. Geer M. Ishaq

Sr. Lecturer

Dept. of Pharmaceutical Sciences

University of Kashmir

Srinagar-190006 (J & K)

Ph: 9419970971, 9906673100

E-mail: ishaq@...

Website: http://ishaqgeer.googlepages.com

Re: Re: Medical doctors as selling agents of nutraceuticalsDear Dr. Anupama,Thank you very much about the reply on pricedifference between Indian and Amway nutraceutics.This is another issue why Amway is charging such ahuge price. The main concern is that whether the poorpeople/patients in India can afford such a costly nondrug and useless food (so called) supplement. A personlike me is managing my family two times food in lessthan Rs.1600 (If you want a break up my familybelonging to four persons need Wheat 10 kg (Rs 20 x10= Rs 200/-), Rice 5 kg (Rs 20x 5=Rs 100/-), Pulses 2Kg (Rs 40 X 2=Rs

80/-) Vegetable ½ kg per day (@ Rs10/- per half kg =Rs 300/-), Milk 1 litre per day (@Rs 20 per day = Rs 600/-) and cooking oil 3 kg permonth @ Rs 100 per month =Rs 300/-. This means when inthis time of high inflation rate of 8 a poor personlike me can maintain my family in Rs 1580/- with twotimes food a day. The cost of 200 gm of Nutralite theso called American Amway protein powder which doctorgives to patients cost must more than the monthlybudget of middle class family in India. In India howmany people can really afford to have food for twotimes. The budget I have given is sufficient to giveall nutritional values. As a doctor please tell me howmuch quantity of Vitamin A, B, C, D, E, K , mineralsand proteins are required? When such is a case when aOrthopedic surgeon in Nagpur who is an agent of Amwayis forcefully prescribing or dispensing the Amwayproducts to a lower middle class

person, is itjustifiable? Protein power, the great doctor in mytown has advised to this poor person as “Take 20 gmsthrice a day means 60 gms per day hence, he has tospend Rs 16,000/- approximately on Amway’s proteinpower. This poor patient has applied for loan topurchase the protein power to a bank. Amway’s garliccapsules costs Rs 600 nearly the cost of Garlic inmarket is Rs 40 per kg. Amway’s Iron Folic combinationis costing much more i.e. beyond the rich of commonman. My question is that when there are companieswhich are standard companies manufacturing theseprotein vitamins and mineral supplements under drugcontrol and their costs are much less then why doctorsare suggesting Amway’s product. Amway is neither apharmaceutical company. You can see the label of Ironfolic acid combination or Glucosamine of Amway, theyare certainly irrational combinations. Now about

Amwaychain marketing. Amway is giving a kit of its productsto first agent who is a distributor for Rs 2500/-. Itcontains all Health and Nutrition Products. If thatdistributor sells it to another customer he can earnRs 25000/- as per MRP. In addition, he has to build achain by adding agents like him. This means he canwork either as a motivator or distributor. In Nagpurat present there more than 100 leading doctors who arethe distributors of Amway. They are pushing thesehealth supplements to the patients admitted in theirhospitals. Amway is a multi crore company. It isbanned in America. FDA in US has not permitted to sellthe health and nutrition products through chainmarketing. But In India, there is no legal control onsuch companies. If you search, there are 20+ companiesin India like Amway, DXN which are selling theproducts in the name of health and nutrition throughchain marketing.

From all this discussion you will beable to know whose health and whose nutrition has beenimproved by such companies in India. Amway has 20+thousand agents in Nagpur, DXN has 34+ thousand agentsin Nagpur. And if you go in details about the sideeffects and the money spent and generated by suchproduct,s this will be another story. Where are wereally going? Who will stop this? Who will intervene?I tried once in 2003 when I published an exposure onDXN…the experience of the same I can’t forget. Sometimes I feel that the educated impotent like me hasnothing in hand to work for community, than only todiscuss.Thanking you once again for reply. Rajendra Diwe--- anupama sukhlecha <anupama_acad@...>wrote:> Dear Mr Rajendra and Dr Vijay,>

Tables have been made very well. There are many> fold difference in prices between Indian and Amway> nutraceutics. A reason could also be that the prices> are a direct conversion in INR of their price in US> Dollars. However the Amway factories are also> located in Delhi, Kutch-Gujarat...to cater to the> Indian market. Then why charge equivalent to> Dollars?> The Indian medicines are priced much cheaper> than their equivalents in US. > We can see the NRIs packing their yearly> medicine ration and taking them to US.> -Anupama> > Vijay <drvijaythawani@...> wrote:> Hi Anupama,> Rajendra has come out with research data about the>

pricing of Amway> products as well as comparative brands. Hence I> asked him to post the> tables. Will some member from Nagpur kindly call him> and draw his> attention to this request?> Vijay> > > A good article from NetRUMian Rajendra Diwe. Mr> Diwe is> requested to kindly post the tables accompanying> this write up> directly on NetRUM.> > > > Vijay Thawani> > > > >----------------------------------------------------------> > > > Medical doctors as selling agents of> nutraceuticals> > By Rajendra Diwe> > > > Many medical doctors from Nagpur, India are also> working as the> distributors of Amway, a leading multilevel> marketing company and are> dispensing products of the company to the patients.> It is a very> shocking to find that these doctors either

dispense> or prescribe> "Nutrilite" protein powder to the middle class> patients which costs> INR1600 for 500 gms. The prescribers include> orthopedic surgeons,> gyanaecologists, gastro-entrologists, cardiac> specialists and general> practitioners. The products are either dispensed by> the doctors or> they are kept at the adjoining medical stores. The> commonly> recommended products by these doctors include> protein supplements,> anti oxidants, calcium supplements, iron and folic> acid and> anti-obesity products etc> > > > Amway does not have any drug license neither these> products are> prescription products. Still the products are> available in tablets and> capsules. They are termed as food supplements. Also> on their label the> contents are mentioned and also dosage. One

patient,> who is a> government servant, submitted a bill of medical> stores which contains> a protein supplement from Amway which is prescribed> by orthopedician,> to the insurance company for reimbursement, the> company denied saying> that the same is not medicine.> > <!--[if !supportLineBreakNewLine]-->> > <!--[endif]-->> > Doctors working as agents of Amway routinely> conduct the sales and> marketing meetings in Indian Medical Association> hall. Nutrilite Iron> and Folic Acid is available for Rs 679 for 90> tablets, while Omega-3> fatty acid capsules costs Rs 1149 for 60 capsules,> the garlic capsules> of Amway cost 699 for 60 capsules, the ginseng> capsules of Amway cost> Rs 2369 for 100 tablets. When compared with the same> combinations of> other brands of the standard

companies in market it> was found that the> Amway's products are costing five to ten times more.> > > > > The Indian FDA officials feel that Amway is a real> head ache for> them. The products are neither drugs nor the food> supplements. Hence,> FDA has no direct control on these products. The> products are> available with the marketing agents of Amway hence,> no body knows what> is the stock, how much quantity is sold by a doctor> or chemist, in> addition the product availability on other counters> is so low that it> is not sufficient to send the same for laboratory> tests. > > > > In India the National Pharmaceutical Pricing> Authority (NPPA) has> fixed the prices of protein, vitamins and mineral> supplements. The> pharmaceutical companies escape this by marketing>

these products as> nutraceuticals under food license and thus price> them higher than the> controlled cost. Amway is selling 10 products under> nutrition and> health supplement which are costing five to ten> times more than other> parallel nutraceuticals. While NPPA is claiming that> the prices of> multivitamins and minerals are controlled, the> companies like Amway> are minting huge profits by making doctors as their> selling agents. #> > > > > > > > > > > > > > ---------------------------------> > Explore your hobbies and interests. Click here to> begin.> >> > > > > > >

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Dear Mr Rajendra, We are with you in all your endeavours related to drug irrationality. -Anupamarajendra diwe <rajendradiwe@...> wrote: Respected Kunda Madam,Thank you very much for your mail. I am certainly notloosing heart but you know me well I want someinterventions or results. Madam, also it is surprisingto me that at least after 20 days, The Hitavada haspublished my story on Amway today i.e. on May 21. Itis only because the real well wishes and blessings youand

Dr. Thawani have given me. Yesterday only I wrotesome facts to Dr. Anupama and Dr. Thawani Sir. Theirwishes and blessings have resulted in the exposure inmy news paper. I also know that I am not doing anygreat things but as a journalist I feel that my roleis to make people aware and make suitable change. Withyour blessings I know that we all will make the thingshappen. Thaning YouRajendra--- kunda gharpure <gharpurekunda (DOT) co.in> wrote:---------------------------------hello Rajen,I went thru your mail with great interest. If you atyour age are losing heart, what will happen to ouryounger generation?We are not simply discussing the issues. we arespreading the message , so that someone somewhere willtake cognizance and slowly, we will bring aboutchange. It is not only Netrum that is concerned

aboutthese issues All over India, there are many righteouspeople who try to do their own bit.dont lose heart. Rajen .you are doing good work andyou will be rewarded surely.kunda> Hi Anupama,> Rajendra has come out with

research data about the> pricing of Amway> products as well as comparative brands. Hence I> asked him to post the> tables. Will some member from Nagpur kindly call him> and draw his> attention to this request?> Vijay> > > A good article from NetRUMian Rajendra Diwe. Mr> Diwe is> requested to kindly post the tables accompanying> this write up> directly on NetRUM.> > > > Vijay Thawani> > > > >------------ --------- --------- --------- ------------------ -> > > > Medical doctors as selling agents of> nutraceuticals> > By Rajendra Diwe> > > > Many medical doctors from Nagpur, India are also> working as the> distributors of Amway, a leading multilevel> marketing company and are> dispensing products of the company to the patients.> It is a very> shocking to find that these doctors either dispense> or prescribe> "Nutrilite" protein powder to the middle class> patients which

costs> INR1600 for 500 gms. The prescribers include> orthopedic surgeons,> gyanaecologists, gastro-entrologists , cardiac> specialists and general> practitioners. The products are either dispensed by> the doctors or> they are kept at the adjoining medical stores. The> commonly> recommended products by these doctors include> protein supplements,> anti oxidants, calcium supplements, iron and folic> acid and> anti-obesity products etc> > > > Amway does not have any drug license neither these> products are> prescription products. Still the products are> available in tablets and> capsules. They are termed as food supplements. Also> on their label the> contents are mentioned and also dosage. One patient,> who is a> government servant, submitted a bill of medical> stores which contains> a protein

supplement from Amway which is prescribed> by orthopedician,> to the insurance company for reimbursement, the> company denied saying> that the same is not medicine.> > <!--[if !supportLineBreakNe wLine]-->> > <!--[endif]- ->> > Doctors working as agents of Amway routinely> conduct the sales and> marketing meetings in Indian Medical Association> hall. Nutrilite Iron> and Folic Acid is available for Rs 679 for 90> tablets, while Omega-3> fatty acid capsules costs Rs 1149 for 60 capsules,> the garlic capsules> of Amway cost 699 for 60 capsules, the ginseng> capsules of Amway cost> Rs 2369 for 100 tablets. When compared with the same> combinations of> other brands of the standard companies in market it> was found that the> Amway's products are costing five to ten times more.> > > > >

The Indian FDA officials feel that Amway is a real> head ache for> them. The products are neither drugs nor the food> supplements. Hence,> FDA has no direct control on these products. The> products are> available with the marketing agents of Amway hence,> no body knows what> is the stock, how much quantity is sold by a doctor> or chemist, in> addition the product availability on other counters> is so low that it> is not sufficient to send the same for laboratory> tests. > > > > In India the National Pharmaceutical Pricing> Authority (NPPA) has> fixed the prices of protein, vitamins and mineral> supplements. The> pharmaceutical companies escape this by marketing> these products as> nutraceuticals under food license and thus price> them higher than the> controlled cost. Amway is selling 10 products

under> nutrition and> health supplement which are costing five to ten> times more than other> parallel nutraceuticals. While NPPA is claiming that> the prices of> multivitamins and minerals are controlled, the> companies like Amway> are minting huge profits by making doctors as their> selling agents. #> > > > > > > > > > > > > > ------------ --------- --------- ---> > Explore your hobbies and interests. Click here to> begin.> >> > > > > > > ------------ --------- --------- ---> Bring your gang together. Do your thing. Find your> favourite Group.Send instant messages to your online friendshttp://uk.messenger . ---------------------------------Bollywood, fun,

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