Govt lists essential hygiene products, gives industry price control scare

There is a social case for price control on hygiene products, but it leaves economic questions for manufacturers working on thin margins

The government's move to draw up a list of essential hygiene products, on the lines of an existing national list for drugs, could put it at loggerheads with industry. For one, say sources in the know, it signals the Centre’s intent to widen its control beyond pharmaceuticals into over-the-counter (OTC) products.

OTC products in India are typically sold like fast moving consumer goods (FMCG), backed by huge marketing budgets and an aggressive distribution push. It is not heavily regulated, say industry experts, the way the pharmaceutical industry is in the country.

While some experts say it is precisely this lack of regulation