<h1>Anti-competitive practices: associations penalised under Competition Act and ordered to cease margin-fixing, discount restrictions and boycotts.</h1> Associations of chemists, druggists, stockists, wholesalers and manufacturers engaged in anti-competitive practices including gatekeeping via No Objection Certificates, compulsory release charges, fixation of trade margins, restrictions on discounts, and boycott calls. The Competition Commission imposed penalties and issued cease and desist orders under the Competition Act, obtained undertakings from associations to stop such conduct, and warned that non-compliance may result in severe penalties and prosecution while inviting reports of violations.