Comprehension
Read the following passage carefully and answer the questions that follow.
E-pharmacies, which operate through websites or smartphone apps on the Internet, offer medicines for sale at a discount of at least 20% when compared to traditional pharmacists, with the added convenience of home delivery of medicines to one’s doorstep. For scheduled drugs, patients can submit photographs of prescriptions while placing orders. Despite operating in India for at least four years now, the legal status of these e-pharmacies is not clear because the government is yet to notify into law draft rules that it published in 2018. The fiercest opponents of e-pharmacies are trade associations of existing pharmacists and chemists. They argue that their livelihoods are threatened by venture capital backed e-pharmacies and that jobs of thousands are on the line. Apart from these obvious arguments, these trade associations also spin imaginary tales of how e-pharmacies will open the door to drug abuse and also the sale of sub-standard or counterfeit drugs, thereby threatening public health. There is enough evidence on record to demonstrate how existing pharmacies contribute generously to drug abuse and sale of sub-standard medicine. There is no reason to suspect that e-pharmacies are going to worsen the situation in anyway. The more prudent way of looking at the entry of e-pharmacies is competition and the resultant effect it will have on lowering the price of medicine for Indian patients. Viewed from this perspective, there is virtually no doubt that e-pharmacies should be allowed to operate because the history of India’s trade associations of pharmacists is one of rampant, unabashed cartelisation that has resulted in an artificial inflation of medicine prices. This practice of two competitors colluding to fix the sale price and area of operation is called cartelisation, and is illegal under India’s Competition Act. The premise of this law is that a free market is efficient only if all sellers are competing with each other to offer the lowest price to the customer.
E-pharmacies, which operate through websites or smartphone apps on the Internet, offer medicines for sale at a discount of at least 20% when compared to traditional pharmacists, with the added convenience of home delivery of medicines to one’s doorstep. For scheduled drugs, patients can submit photographs of prescriptions while placing orders. Despite operating in India for at least four years now, the legal status of these e-pharmacies is not clear because the government is yet to notify into law draft rules that it published in 2018. The fiercest opponents of e-pharmacies are trade associations of existing pharmacists and chemists. They argue that their livelihoods are threatened by venture capital backed e-pharmacies and that jobs of thousands are on the line. Apart from these obvious arguments, these trade associations also spin imaginary tales of how e-pharmacies will open the door to drug abuse and also the sale of sub-standard or counterfeit drugs, thereby threatening public health. There is enough evidence on record to demonstrate how existing pharmacies contribute generously to drug abuse and sale of sub-standard medicine. There is no reason to suspect that e-pharmacies are going to worsen the situation in anyway. The more prudent way of looking at the entry of e-pharmacies is competition and the resultant effect it will have on lowering the price of medicine for Indian patients. Viewed from this perspective, there is virtually no doubt that e-pharmacies should be allowed to operate because the history of India’s trade associations of pharmacists is one of rampant, unabashed cartelisation that has resulted in an artificial inflation of medicine prices. This practice of two competitors colluding to fix the sale price and area of operation is called cartelisation, and is illegal under India’s Competition Act. The premise of this law is that a free market is efficient only if all sellers are competing with each other to offer the lowest price to the customer.
Question: 1
Which of the following strengthen the claim that e-pharmacies benefit the consumers?
I. There is cartelisation by pharmacist associations leading to rise in price of medicines.
II. Competition between e-pharmacies and trade associations of pharmacists will lead to reduction in prices of medicine.
III. E-pharmacies have added convenience of home delivery of medicines to one’s doorstep.
Which of the following strengthen the claim that e-pharmacies benefit the consumers?
I. There is cartelisation by pharmacist associations leading to rise in price of medicines.
II. Competition between e-pharmacies and trade associations of pharmacists will lead to reduction in prices of medicine.
III. E-pharmacies have added convenience of home delivery of medicines to one’s doorstep.
I. There is cartelisation by pharmacist associations leading to rise in price of medicines.
II. Competition between e-pharmacies and trade associations of pharmacists will lead to reduction in prices of medicine.
III. E-pharmacies have added convenience of home delivery of medicines to one’s doorstep.
Show Hint
When answering questions based on supporting evidence, look for statements that directly support the benefits or advantages mentioned in the passage. Eliminate statements that introduce irrelevant or opposing ideas.
Updated On: Mar 10, 2025
- Only III
- Only I and III
- All of the above
- Only II and III
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The Correct Option is D
Solution and Explanation
Step 1: Analyze Statement I
"There is cartelisation by pharmacist associations leading to rise in price of medicines."
This statement is not relevant to the claim that e-pharmacies benefit consumers, as it focuses on a negative aspect. Therefore, statement I is not supportive.
Step 2: Analyze Statement II
"Competition between e-pharmacies and trade associations of pharmacists will lead to reduction in prices of medicine."
This statement supports the claim that e-pharmacies benefit consumers, as competition typically lowers prices. Therefore, statement II is supportive.
Step 3: Analyze Statement III
"E-pharmacies have added convenience of home delivery of medicines to one’s doorstep."
This statement directly supports the claim that e-pharmacies benefit consumers, as home delivery adds convenience. Therefore, statement III is supportive.
Step 4: Final Answer
Statements II and III are supportive of the claim that e-pharmacies benefit consumers. Therefore, the correct answer is (d) Only II and III. Final Answer: The correct answer is (d) Only II and III.
"There is cartelisation by pharmacist associations leading to rise in price of medicines."
This statement is not relevant to the claim that e-pharmacies benefit consumers, as it focuses on a negative aspect. Therefore, statement I is not supportive.
Step 2: Analyze Statement II
"Competition between e-pharmacies and trade associations of pharmacists will lead to reduction in prices of medicine."
This statement supports the claim that e-pharmacies benefit consumers, as competition typically lowers prices. Therefore, statement II is supportive.
Step 3: Analyze Statement III
"E-pharmacies have added convenience of home delivery of medicines to one’s doorstep."
This statement directly supports the claim that e-pharmacies benefit consumers, as home delivery adds convenience. Therefore, statement III is supportive.
Step 4: Final Answer
Statements II and III are supportive of the claim that e-pharmacies benefit consumers. Therefore, the correct answer is (d) Only II and III. Final Answer: The correct answer is (d) Only II and III.
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Question: 2
Which arguments are given by the trade associations of pharmacists against the use of e-pharmacies as per the passage?
I. Selling of counterfeit drugs threatening public health.
II. E-pharmacies make drugs readily available, thereby can lead to drug abuse.
III. E-pharmacies stock up medicines leading to medicine shortage at pharmacist and chemist shops.
Which arguments are given by the trade associations of pharmacists against the use of e-pharmacies as per the passage?
I. Selling of counterfeit drugs threatening public health.
II. E-pharmacies make drugs readily available, thereby can lead to drug abuse.
III. E-pharmacies stock up medicines leading to medicine shortage at pharmacist and chemist shops.
I. Selling of counterfeit drugs threatening public health.
II. E-pharmacies make drugs readily available, thereby can lead to drug abuse.
III. E-pharmacies stock up medicines leading to medicine shortage at pharmacist and chemist shops.
Show Hint
When analyzing arguments, make sure to reference only the points mentioned directly in the passage. Eliminate options with statements that are not supported.
Updated On: Mar 10, 2025
- Only I and II
- Only II
- Only I and III
- All of the above
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The Correct Option is A
Solution and Explanation
Step 1: Analyze Statement I
"Selling of counterfeit drugs threatening public health."
This statement is supported by the passage, which mentions concerns over the sale of sub-standard or counterfeit drugs. Therefore, statement I is correct.
Step 2: Analyze Statement II
"E-pharmacies make drugs readily available, thereby can lead to drug abuse."
This is also supported by the passage, which discusses how e-pharmacies might contribute to drug abuse. Therefore, statement II is correct.
Step 3: Analyze Statement III
"E-pharmacies stock up medicines leading to medicine shortage at pharmacist and chemist shops."
This statement is not mentioned in the passage, so it is incorrect.
Step 4: Final Answer
The correct answer is (a) Only I and II, as they are the arguments mentioned in the passage. Final Answer: The correct answer is (a) Only I and II.
"Selling of counterfeit drugs threatening public health."
This statement is supported by the passage, which mentions concerns over the sale of sub-standard or counterfeit drugs. Therefore, statement I is correct.
Step 2: Analyze Statement II
"E-pharmacies make drugs readily available, thereby can lead to drug abuse."
This is also supported by the passage, which discusses how e-pharmacies might contribute to drug abuse. Therefore, statement II is correct.
Step 3: Analyze Statement III
"E-pharmacies stock up medicines leading to medicine shortage at pharmacist and chemist shops."
This statement is not mentioned in the passage, so it is incorrect.
Step 4: Final Answer
The correct answer is (a) Only I and II, as they are the arguments mentioned in the passage. Final Answer: The correct answer is (a) Only I and II.
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Question: 3
What is meant by the word `unabashed` used in the passage?
What is meant by the word `unabashed` used in the passage?
Show Hint
When defining words, always look for the closest match in meaning. Words with similar or opposite meanings can often confuse the answer, so be sure to understand the context.
Updated On: Mar 10, 2025
- not embarrassed, disconcerted, or ashamed.
- Disguised emotions
- reluctant to do something
- unsettled or confused.
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The Correct Option is A
Solution and Explanation
Step 1: Analyze the meaning of the word "unabashed."
"Unabashed" means not embarrassed, disconcerted, or ashamed. This is the correct meaning as used in the passage.
Step 2: Evaluate the options.
(a) "Not embarrassed, disconcerted, or ashamed" is the correct meaning of "unabashed."
(b) "Disguised emotions" is unrelated to the meaning of "unabashed."
(c) "Reluctant to do something" does not match the meaning of "unabashed."
(d) "Unsettled or confused" is also not the correct meaning of "unabashed."
Step 3: Final Answer
The correct meaning of "unabashed" is (a) not embarrassed, disconcerted, or ashamed. Final Answer: The correct answer is (a) not embarrassed, disconcerted, or ashamed.
"Unabashed" means not embarrassed, disconcerted, or ashamed. This is the correct meaning as used in the passage.
Step 2: Evaluate the options.
(a) "Not embarrassed, disconcerted, or ashamed" is the correct meaning of "unabashed."
(b) "Disguised emotions" is unrelated to the meaning of "unabashed."
(c) "Reluctant to do something" does not match the meaning of "unabashed."
(d) "Unsettled or confused" is also not the correct meaning of "unabashed."
Step 3: Final Answer
The correct meaning of "unabashed" is (a) not embarrassed, disconcerted, or ashamed. Final Answer: The correct answer is (a) not embarrassed, disconcerted, or ashamed.
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Question: 4
Which of the following is/are true as per the passage?
I. E-pharmacies offer discounts of at least 20% in comparison to traditional pharmacists.
II. India does not have any law declaring cartelisation illegal.
III. Most e-pharmacies are bootstrapped and cannot compete with pharmacist trade associations.
Which of the following is/are true as per the passage?
I. E-pharmacies offer discounts of at least 20% in comparison to traditional pharmacists.
II. India does not have any law declaring cartelisation illegal.
III. Most e-pharmacies are bootstrapped and cannot compete with pharmacist trade associations.
I. E-pharmacies offer discounts of at least 20% in comparison to traditional pharmacists.
II. India does not have any law declaring cartelisation illegal.
III. Most e-pharmacies are bootstrapped and cannot compete with pharmacist trade associations.
Show Hint
When answering questions based on a passage, always look for explicit statements in the text. Eliminate options that introduce information not directly mentioned in the passage.
Updated On: Mar 10, 2025
- Only II
- Only I
- Only III
- Only II and III
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The Correct Option is B
Solution and Explanation
Step 1: Analyze Statement I
"E-pharmacies offer discounts of at least 20% in comparison to traditional pharmacists."
This statement is directly supported by the passage, which mentions that e-pharmacies offer at least a 20% discount compared to traditional pharmacists. Therefore, statement I is correct.
Step 2: Analyze Statement II
"India does not have any law declaring cartelisation illegal."
The passage does not mention the absence of any law declaring cartelisation illegal in India. Therefore, statement II is incorrect.
Step 3: Analyze Statement III
"Most e-pharmacies are bootstrapped and cannot compete with pharmacist trade associations."
The passage does not mention that most e-pharmacies are bootstrapped and cannot compete with trade associations. Therefore, statement III is incorrect.
Step 4: Final Answer
The correct answer is (b) Only I, as it is the only statement that is true according to the passage. Final Answer: The correct answer is (b) Only I.
"E-pharmacies offer discounts of at least 20% in comparison to traditional pharmacists."
This statement is directly supported by the passage, which mentions that e-pharmacies offer at least a 20% discount compared to traditional pharmacists. Therefore, statement I is correct.
Step 2: Analyze Statement II
"India does not have any law declaring cartelisation illegal."
The passage does not mention the absence of any law declaring cartelisation illegal in India. Therefore, statement II is incorrect.
Step 3: Analyze Statement III
"Most e-pharmacies are bootstrapped and cannot compete with pharmacist trade associations."
The passage does not mention that most e-pharmacies are bootstrapped and cannot compete with trade associations. Therefore, statement III is incorrect.
Step 4: Final Answer
The correct answer is (b) Only I, as it is the only statement that is true according to the passage. Final Answer: The correct answer is (b) Only I.
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