Pharmacy Inventory System Essay

1.1 INTRODUCTION AND ITS BACKGROUND A pastor named Ferdie Sinense together with his wife Marisa Sinense who works as an auditor, established Rapa Generics Pharmacy on September 23, 2011. The main branch of this Pharmacy is located at Las Piňas-Zapote Road in Las Piňas City. Anthony Rudil, a licensed pharmacist and Jennifer Robela the assistant pharmacist are currently managing the business. In addition to that, the business opened its door to three more branches located in Pulang Lupa, Las Piňas and Marikina. The advent of new technology, most company nowadays is using computers in their transactions. Pharmacies in particular, are now making their systems computerized since that helps them minimize the time and efforts consumed by using manual system. Point-of-Sale Inventory System is one of the essential components of a successful business. It is a modern replacement for cash register in retail applications. It can help to record securely all the sales and customer’s orders and track products. A sale refers to the exchange of product or services for an amount of money or its equivalent while inventory, on the other hand, is the total amount of items and the act of counting them. A pharmacy owner must know the precise number of items in their storage areas in order to place orders and control losses up to date. Hence, computerizing both Sales and Inventory System will make an easier and faster transaction among the customers as well as monitoring the stocks of the products. Furthermore, the system also gives the person up-to-the-minute and detailed information on each item in your inventory. He/she will know exactly how much inventory comes in; is on-hand now, and where it goes. In fact, most entrepreneurs these days find that computerizing a system gives them a far wider range of information with less effort. Sales and inventory programs now on the market allows one to track usage, monitor changes in unit costs, calculate items when you need to reorder, and analyze inventory levels on an item-to-item basis. In contrast, using a manual Point of Sale (POS) with Inventory System can affect the whole business process in terms of sales and security of confidential documents since it is not reliable enough. Common problems like slow inventory process, lost records, inventory shortages, and high risk of  errors can affect the whole business as a whole. Point of Sale with Inventory System makes a particular business much more efficient, lowering the costs of running the business while improving customer service and making the business more pleasant to work with. It also helps the management to control the inventories, lower overall operating costs in the areas of labor, facilities and logistics as well as improve customer service metrics and fulfillment rates. 1.2 OBJECTIVE OF THE STUDY 1.3.1 General Objective The purpose of this study is to create and design a Point of Sale and Inventory System which will make every transaction easier, fast, secured, efficient and reliable by increasing information reporting accuracy transaction monitoring of Rapa Generics Pharmacy. 1.3.2 Specific Objectives * To concentrate automated inventory and sales reports. * To provide a better security for pharmacy inventory management system for pharmacy inventory management system. * To save manpower and at the same time increase the daily activities. * To build an inventory system that includes transaction process, so it will enable to calculate the stock balance. * Helps to make sure that product purchased from a supplier is correctly dispensed to the customer. 1.3 STATEMENT OF THE PROBLEM This study aims to develop a Point of Sale (POS) Inventory System which will address the following problems of Rapa Generics Pharmacy: * How might a computerized system differ from a manual system for processing a transaction? * How a computerized system can reduce human effort and errors in processing transaction? * How can be the inventory records arranged in proper order? * How accurate the information of a product if it is available? * What is the assurance for the security of a record? 1.4 SIGNIFICANCE OF THE STUDY This study will help the Rapa Generics Pharmacy for keeping track of the sales and the inventory. Specifically, this study aims to give benefit to the following: Owner. Using computerized point of sales and inventory system is efficient to use so the benefits of it is the owner can search the  products availability faster and also they can check the sales and inventory records easily. Customer. They can save time when they buy large quantity of products especially they don’t need to fall in line. Stock Clerk. They are updated the availability of a products. They can easily change the prices of a product. 1.5 SCOPE AND DELIMITATION This study focuses on making a computerized point of sale and inventory system to alter the manual/traditional way so that transactions in the field will become more reliable and to resolve some problems that were encountered using the old / manual system. This study will be conducted in Zapote Road, Las Pià ±as City particularly in the field of Rapa Generics Pharmacy. It will cover its employees as well as some members of the said Pharmacy. It will involve fieldwork, several interviews with the owner, some employees, and customers as well as observing their activities which may contribute to their existing problem. This system is limited only for recording data and calculations in the pharmacy. It can’t be use or any other records like information system and payroll computing. The system will also not accept a credit card as payment and our proposed system is not online or web base transactions. 1.6 DEFINITION OF TERMS Ancillary Business. This term describes any business enterprise created by a law firm or lawyer that offers law-related services to their clients and to those new clients who are not customers of the lawyer or law firm being provided. It is also referred to as â€Å"dual practice† business. Centerpiece. This term is something in a central position and most important feature. Generics. This term described any products as a food, drug or cosmetics that can be sold without a brand name. Interactive Voice Response(IVR). This term allows customers to interact with a company’s host system via telephone keypad or by speech recognition and it also a technology that allows a computer to interact with humans through the use of voice. Missouri’s Ozark Country(MTM).This term is a country located in South Central Missouri in the United States. The county was eventually renamed to Ozark County after the Ozark Mountains and was officially organized on January 29,1841. Medication Therapy Management(MTM). This term is a service or group of services that optimizes drug therapy with the intent of improved therapeutic  outcomes for individual patients .Formulating a medication treatment plan, monitoring efficacy and safety of medication therapy, enhancing medication adherence through patient empowerment and education, and documenting and communicating MTM services to prescribers in order to maintain comprehensive patient care. Niche. This term is the habitat supplying the factors necessary for the existence of an organism or species the ecological role of an organism in a community especially in regard to food consumption; a specialized market. Patent. This term is a legal document affording full protection for any new or useful device. Design or other invention: open to public knowledge. Pharmaceutical. This term is related to pharmacy or pharmacists; â€Å"the pharmaceutical industry† And also related to drugs used in medical treatment; drug or medicine that is prepared or dispensed in pharmacies and used in medical treatment. Pharmacist Clerk. This term describes to the one employed to keep records or accounts or to perform general works. Point of Sales. This term is a modern replacement for the cash register in retail applications. It can help to record securely all the sales and customer’s orders and track products. A sale refers to the exchange of product or services for an amount of money or its equivalent. Practitioners. This term is a person engaged in the practice of a profession or occupation and also a person who practices something specified. Probiotics. This term is a live microorganisms that may confer a health benefit on the host. Probiotics are also delivered in fecal transplants, in which stool from a healthy donor is delivered like a suppository to an infected patient. Rox Express Delivery. This term is a UK delivery. Orders under  £50 are shipped via Royal Mail Signed For with a shipping time of 3-5 working days after dispatch. Stock. This term describes as a supply of something; a store of goods in a shop, warehouse. Synergy. This term describes as the interaction of multiple elements in a system to produce an effect different from or greater than the sum of their individual effects; it also means working together. United States Route 66. This term also known as the Will Rogers Highway and colloquially known as the Main Street of America or the Mother Road, was a highway within the United States Highway System. One of the original United States Highways, Route 66 was established on November 11, 1926—with road signs e rected the following year. Widespread. This term describes as a spread over a wide area or extending  over a wide area. CHAPTER II REVIEW OF RELATED LITERATURE AND STUDIES 2.1 RELATED LITERATURE 2.2.1 Local Literature Rose Pharmacy is one of the Philippines’ top pharmaceutical retailers with over 183 branches it was established in 1952 in Cebu City with the customer being the centrepiece of its corporate plans, Rose Pharmacy has streamlined its branch operation by installing advanced point of sales system in all branches thereby providing not only fast and efficient computerized service but also accurate accounting and inventory monitoring. Rose Pharmacy’s also enhance customer service thru on-line product inquiry and ordering and other on-line services. 2.2.2 Foreign Literature Beginning in the late 1970s, a number of vendors began developing software systems to manage paper-based documents. These systems dealt with paper documents, which included not only printed and published documents, but also photographs, prints, etc. Later developers began to write a second type of system which could manage electronic documents, all those documents, or files, created on computers, and often stored in users’ local file-systems. The earliest electronic document management (EDM) systems managed either proprietary file types, or a limited number of file formats. Many of these systems later became known as document imaging systems, because they focused on the capture, storage, indexing and retrieval of image file formats. EDM systems evolved to a point where systems could manage any type of file format that could be stored on the network. The applications grew to encompass electronic documents, collaboration tools, security, workflow, and auditing capabilities. These systems enabled an organization to capture faxes and forms, to save copies of the documents as images, and to store the image files in the repository for security and quick retrieval (retrieval made possible because the system handled the extraction of the text from the document in the process of capture, and the text-indexer function provided text-retrieval capabilities). While many EDM systems store documents in their native file format (Microsoft Word or Excel, PDF), some web-based document management systems are beginning to store content in the  form of html. These policy management systems require content to be imported into the system. However, once content is imported, the software acts like a search engine so users can find what they are looking for faster. The HTML format allows for better application of search capabilities such as full-text searching and stemming. 2.2 RELATED STUDY 2.3.3 Local Study PHARMACY INVENTORY TRACKING SYSTEM Healthcare industries today are looking for opportunities to improve their daily operations efficiencies by reducing costs without effecting patient care. In addition, for these industries to function better they require accurate medical supply and equipment orders, tailored to the patient’s needs, and delivered on-time. Inventory is a subject in business that is hope can maximize profit. However, in many cases inventory has turned into a major cash flow constraint that cause necessary to optimize inventory using analytical and statistical methods in manual approach that is using papers. This will lead to paper wastage. In healthcare industries, inventory management system can handle their inventory especially in pharmacy department. This includes all the activities that run in a pharmacy such as transaction, order items, items movement tracking, and generate reports. 2.3.4 Foreign Study ANALYSIS OF INVENTORY OF DRUG AND PHARMACY The health care in modern days has become more complex sophisticated and more expensive in terms of cost of drugs, surgical equipment and hospital stay. With rise in per capital income of general population and also with rise in the level of general information and education of people, the demand for more sophisticated medical care has come up. However, the rise in hospital costs has been substantially more than the rise in general consumer price. â€Å"Since 1950, the cost of one day’s stay in a hospital has increased more than 1,000 percent compared with 135 percent climb in the consumer price index†. Economics of materials control is a matter of self presentation in today’s competitive environment. Materials control is a matter of rupee control; it is axiomatic that stringent controls must be placed on higher value items. The management of inventory pares the avenues for optimizing  the costs of Medicare services besides making available materials to the patients which increase the quality of health care services. Out of materials, drugs consume a major portion of hospital budget. The basic social issue confronting medical practice today is how to improve the organization of utilization of the fruits of medical knowledge, the technological advancement and managerial innovation in Health Care Institutions on most economical terms. The rising hospital cost and methods to contain this have attracted the attention of one and all be it the professionals, the public and private sector management and even the trade union activist. The hospital management has to ensure the availability of various drugs round the clock as these are essential and vital for patient care. The Pharmacy Departments are most often charged with responsibility for managing drug and delivery system costs. Systems should develop to utilize drug and delivery resources in a cost effective fashion. The pharmacy management team should focus on developing effective strategies to maximize leverage of drugs and human resource cost. Since there is widespread concern about the cost of health care, a variety of cost containment initiatives have been pursued. The main health concern now-a-days is allocation of resources on a rationale basis. Management must therefore lay stress on the cost analysis and formulate guidelines for the definitions of cost and established standards through cost analysis. Cost analysis is a research tool for the financial management in a hospital. The objective of the study was to analyze the drugs stored in Drug and Pharmacy of Sher-i-Kashmir institute of Medical sciences according to their cost and criticality. CHAPTER III RESEARCH METHODOLOGY 3.1 REASEARCH DESIGN The research method used in this study is the interview method. This method helped the proponents know what would be the appropriate system be used in making research work easier. This also helped in describing the existing manual system and explaining how the system works. The survey and observation method was used in determining what is the confusing question or situation that is difficult by the users. 3.2 RESEARCH LOCALE The study was conducted in Rapa Generics Pharmacy Zapote Road, Las Piňas City to gather data and information. The proponents decided to improve the manual checking of the product, the manual receipt, and the sales that happen in a day, and monthly sales by creating or by developing a new highly computerized Point of Sales and Inventory System that eventually helps the company in the future. 3.3 DATA GATHERING PROCEDURE The proposed system was made by gathering information from the internet, pharmacist, respondents and thesis book made from the previous students to give the proponents an idea. First, the proponents interviewed the Pharmacist at the drugstore who used the manual process of checking products, giving manual receipt and the proponents observed that pharmacist/employee exceed time to check their products, the remaining and expiration date of the products and eventually take risk of using the manual system. Second, the proponents gave a survey questionnaire answerable by Yes or NO to the customer to gather some information if they encounter or not a problems by using manual system of Rapa Generics Pharmacy. After the survey, the proponents analyzed the answer of the respondents based on the questionnaire provided. The proponents tallied the result of the survey conducted at the Rapa Generics Pharmacy Zapote Road Las Pinas City. Then last, the proponents searched in the internet and different thesis made by the previous students to get more idea for the system. 3.4 DATA PROCESSING DESIGN The proponents gathered data and information through the internet, after the proponents made the propose system, keep the aforementioned helped or checking the in or out of the products and issuance of the receipt. 3.5 INSTRUMENTATION The proponents used survey questionnaire answerable by Yes or No or quantitative method of research as an instrument to gather more information. A self-administered questionnaire was distributed to the customers. The questionnaire was structured in such a way that the respondents will be able to answer it easily. In this type of questionnaire, the respondents will  give five questions. Make some questions to be answered by the pharmacist and the owner regarding the advantages of manual system and our proposed system because this is the convenient and the easiest way for the proponents, for the customer and for the Pharmacist so they will not disturb for what they doing. 3.6 PROCEDURE At first the proponents find a company who are using manual system. The proponents explained and discussed to the staff about the intention of the researcher to their company. Then, the researcher asked permission to the one of the employee if it is ok to them if the proponents make a computerized Point of Sale and Inventory System for their company with a promised that all the information gathered is confidential. It’s only for the researcher’s thesis. After the proponents got the permission from the owner of Rapa Generics Pharmacy. The proponents conduct a title defence if it would pass to the proponents’ professor. After the title defence the proponents started to study the flow of the manual system by interviewing the Pharmacist at the drugstore who use the manual process of checking products, giving manual receipt and the proponents observed that pharmacist/employee exceed time to check their products, the remaining and expiration date of the products and ev entually take risk of using the manual system. Second, the proponents gave a survey questionnaire answerable by Yes or NO to the customer to gather some information if they encounter or not a problems by using manual system of Rapa Generics Pharmacy. After the survey, the proponents analyzed the answer of the respondents based on the questionnaire provided. The proponents tallied the result of the survey conducted at the Rapa Generics Pharmacy Zapote Road Las Pinas City. Then last, the proponents searched in the internet and different thesis made by the previous students to get more idea for the system. After that the researcher started to make the computerize Point of Sale Inventory System and its documentation. 3.7 POPULATION AND SAMPLE The Pharmacist said that she estimate their customers every weekends like Friday, Saturday and Sunday are 100 to 150 customers in Rapa Generics Pharmacy. Out of the said estimated customers, the proponents got 50 respondents of Rapa Generics Pharmacy to gather information. 50 respondents  answered the survey questionnaires made from the researchers. The proponents used the Incidental Sampling in choosing those costumers of Rapa Generics Pharmacy who are most available to be asked. The total respondents are 50 out of many customers who encounter a problem by using a manual system of the said Pharmacy. 3.8 STATISTICAL TOOLS For gathering information from Rapa Generics Pharmacy, the proponents used an Incidental Sampling. This is a sample which is taken because they are the most available. The researcher simply takes the nearest individuals as subject of the study. The proponents used Incidental Sampling because this is the most convenient and not hassle especially to the customers. The following questions are answerable by YES or NO. 1. Do you prefer to use generic type of medicine? Figure 1.1 Shows the distribution of respondents in terms of using generic type of medicine in and out of 50 respondents 39 people or 78% of the respondents answered YES and 11 people or 22% of the respondents answered NO. Based on some research, the generic medicine is a copy of the original branded product. Once the patient for the original product has run out, the pharmaceutical company who developed the medicine no longer has the exclusive right to produce and distribute the medicine. Other pharmaceutical companies are able to create their own version of the medicine. The type and quantity of the active ingredient in the generic product is the same as the branded version, but the inactive ingredients are slightly different. The generic medicine is sold under a different brand name and it may look different (e.g. in color or shape) to the original. Without properly understanding the similarities and differences between generic and branded medicines, it is easy to become confused and anxious about taking a new medicine. This is particularly the case when someone is used to taking a certain medicine and is introduced to a new medicine that has a different name and appearance but is ‘the same’ that’s why some people preferred to use this type of medicine. (Source: Virtual medical center) 2. Do you prefer to use Branded type of medicine? Figure 1.2 Shows the distribution of respondents in terms of using Branded  type of medicine and out of 50 respondents 13 people or 49% of the respondents answered YES and 37 people or 51% of the respondents answered NO. According to ( The Perceive Benefits of Generic Versus Branded Medicines ; University of Pretoria) Branded medicines are originator products or medicines that have been discovered by a company and are patented to maximize any economic gain that may result from being the sole company producing a new drug treatment for a particular illness or disease condition. This is the avenue for the company to recoup their expenditure in the area of Research and Development (R&D) of the drug. For a period of time after the patent is granted, no one else can produce a drug that is the same as the patented drug; the medicine belongs exclusively to the original company. For this reason, branded medicines are the most well known and most trusted type of that particular medicine. (Google: Virtual Medical Center) as we can observe branded medicine is Pharmaceutical companies making branded medicines spend a lot of money building their brands, that is, that of the corporate image and those of their individual lines of products. 3. Did you experience to wait a long time when you buy a large quantity of medicine? Figure 1.3 Shows the distribution of respondents in terms of experiencing a long time when buying a large quantity of medicine and out of 50 respondents 35 people or 70% of the respondents answered YES and 15 people or 30% of the respondents answered NO. Previous research shows that the objective and subjective waiting time have negative effects on affective and cognitive waiting time evaluation. Taylor (1994) says that service delay will significantly influence the feeling of anger. Moreover, Pruyn and Smidts (1998) find out that the perceived waiting time will affect the cognitive aspect of the waiting time evaluation. Consequently, perceived waiting time will influence on customers’ waiting time satisfaction. There are other reasons that will determine waiting time satisfaction. In psychological theory, during the waiting period, consumers face uncertainty about how long they have to wait, and experience stress (Bielen & Demoulin, 2007). Some researchers suggest that any information provided during the waiting period can reduce the uncertainty of the wait and lower the level of stress experienced by consumers (Bielen & Demoulin, 2007; Maister, 1985). Moreover, the uncertainty waiting time will influence customers’ emotional responses, and then the customers’ emotional responses will affect their  service evaluation to this restaurant (Bielen & Demoulin, 2007). For example, in some restaurants, when customers arrive, at the beginning, the host will ask them to wait around 30 minutes, but this 30 minutes just for waiting to get the beeper. After customers get the beeper, the host will tell them to wait another period of uncertainty time, in order to get seats. This situation will make customers feel this waiting period never ends and cause their anxious feeling. 4. Did you experience a long line when you buy a medicine? Figure 1.4 Shows the distribution of respondents in terms of experiencing a long line when buying a medicine and out of 50 respondents 36 people or 71% of the respondents answered YES and 14 people or 29% of the respondents answered NO. The study investigates consumption time when waiting in line; especially the negative aspects associated with consumption time. To describe what is viewed as negative, wasted or unproductive consumption time spent in waiting lines, the term â€Å"regret time† is used. This allows the exploration to determine if an individual who does have â€Å"regret time† would alter his/her behavior (in the shopping situation) to reduce â€Å"regret time† and, if so, how this individual would alter his/her behavior. Thus, the hypothesis tested is: For individuals exhibiting different regret levels (ranging from high to low): A. Individuals with high regret levels will spend less time in grocery store waiting lines and thus alter their shopping behavior* by buying fewer groceries and spending less time shopping in the grocery store. B. Individuals with low regret levels will spend more time in grocery store waiting and thus not alter their shopping behavior. *Altering shopping behavior might also include: switching grocery stores in the future, leaving the grocery store and returning at another time. (Advances in Consumer Research Volume 11, 1984 Pages 41-45 5. Did you experience an incorrect amount of change when you buy a medicine? Figure 1.5 Shows the distribution of respondents in terms of experiencing an incorrect amount of change when buying a medicine out of 50 respondents 31 people or 69% of the respondents answered YES and 19 people or 31% of the respondents answered NO. This may be the cost of using manual system of giving a receipt for the customers and there are several factors that can be attributed to this problem First is lack of knowledge of the employee in  terms of giving the right amount of change Second is because of the influx of customers. In many cases inventory has turned into a major cash flow constraint that cause necessary to optimize inventory using analytical and statistical methods in manual approach that is using papers. This includes all the activities that run in a pharmacy such as transaction, order items, items movement tracking, and generate reports. (Local literature: PHARMACY INVENTORY TRACKING SYSTEM) CHAPTER IV PRESENTATION, INTERPRETATION AND ANALYSIS OF THE SYSTEM 4. ANALYSIS OF THE EXISTING SYSTEM 4.1.1 Flow of the Existing System In their manual existing system, the pharmacist writes down the products on the receipt in their transaction. The existing system uses manual process for searching the availability of the products for their inventory they are also using manual system. The pharmacist manually counts the products to know how many stocks are still available that’s why she exceeds too much time for checking and searching their products. And also it takes another time consuming by updating their inventory because the user also needs to record their sales when the day ends, to make every transactions’ recorded so that the owner can review their daily sales if their business is still going right and by doing all this needs much time to finish, effort in writing and focused on what she is doing. 4.1.2 Examination of the Process Users who use manual system had a hard time in making transactions to customer, to check the products and its availability. The proponents observe that using manual system is not appropriate in the pharmacy. As the researcher observed they need many things to do and it consumes time by only doing those things like searching products in their manual list. They need to scan all their files to find what the customers need, and because of that it can cause to have a long line or the other customer waiting for their turn to buy a medicine. Waiting at such time some buyers didn’t have a long patience some will go and find another Pharmacy which they can buy faster at less time. 4.1.3 Comprehensive List of the Problem There are some existing systems just like the hand written system which are  not readable and, hence, cannot be understood checking the product. It is definitely hard to retrieve records through manual; in reference to this, the Pharmacy is contemplating how they could provide the best way of meeting customers need, wants and demand conducive to them and to the Pharmacy, respectively. 4.1.4 Data Flow Diagram of the Existing System Process Manual Product Searching Manual Receipt Pharmacist Customer When the customer buy a medicine they can ask to the Pharmacist and the pharmacist will search the product manually and give it to the customer . After the transaction the customer will pay and the pharmacist will provide a manual receipt. Supplier 4.1.5 Process Diagram of the Existing System Customer Selling Products Receive Order Stocks Available No Yes Payment 4.2 PRESENTATION OF THE PROPOSE SYSTEM 4.2.1 Overview of the Proposed System After two months of hardship to complete this thesis, The proponents able to make a system which is Point of Sale and Inventory System for Rapa Generics Pharmacy to improve and help the employees and owner to easily check the availability of the products faster than their manual existing system. The proponents provide a system to help them make their work easier by making transactions and searching products. It is much faster and efficient than what they did before. Point of Sale and Inventory System is a computerized  system also like their manual but this is much more user friendly to use and it is also secured because of having an account which only the admin can operate first before the employee, the employees can also make an account by the help of the admin so that they can also operate the system anytime. Through this system once you type what you need to search it automatically shows the product what you need and once you make transactions the sales automatically updates the inventory, it counts the sales of products in the pharmacy every day, update the number of products or shocks they still have. The pharmacist can also add new products and delete some items and it can also record the delivery of products daily. 4.2.2 Flow of the proposed system The flow of the proposed system revolves around two people, first is the pharmacist and the second is the administrator. Pharmacist must enter his/her password in the login form and when she/he entered a correct password then the program will automatically open but in a limited access, he/she can access only the form used in selling of products and also the printing of the receipt. Administrator, when the administrator is signed in, she/he can use all forms used in various transactions like suppliers from, product form to input new product, returned form to manage the product return, sale form, product display to form to search for an existing products, and the print form to monitor and create reports on list of products, product expiration, product warranty, sales, and returned products. 4.2.3 Benefits of the Proposed System This proposed system will benefit the user which is the costumer, employee and the owner of the said Pharmacy. Through this system the user’s will not spend more time to check and update the availability of their products and also can help them to give the receipt for the costumer on time. This system can help them to do their task fast and easily. 4.2.4 DATA FLOW DIAGRAM OF THE PROPOSED SYSTEM 4.2.4.1 Data Flow Diagram for Pharmacist Product Search Enter Password Log-In Pharmacist Begin Transaction Payment Customer Print Receipt 4.2.4.2 Data Flow Diagram for Administrator Admin Log-out Check the Stocks Check the Sales Log-In 4.2.5 PROCESS DIAGRAM OF THE PROPOSED SYSTEM Customer ask the Pharmacist about the Products he/she wanted to buy Begin the Transaction Enter Password 4.2.5.1 Process Diagram for Pharmacist Log-in Pharmacist After searching, the pharmacists tell the customer if the products that he wanted to buy are available or not The Customer tell how many product he/she needed Pharmacist search the products The pharmacist, compute the total cost and get the payment of the customer and give the change if there is a change Print the Receipt 4.2.5.2 Process Diagram for Administrator Log-out Check the Sales Enter Password Log-in Admin View all the details that the admin wanted to know 4.3 DESIGN PLAN OF THE PROPOSED SYSTEM Feasibility Analysis In this generation people knew that it is a very high technology because of many gadgets existing, like android cell phones and very updated operating system so that the proponents thinks that creating an Point of Sale and Inventory System is possible by the help of computer application like the proponents use which is the visual basic enterprise 6.0, starting with brain storming on how this system flows so that the proponents knows where to start to make the system. 4.4.1 Operational Feasibility The proposed system can be easily employed by the user since it is user-friendly and can be managed in a convenient way. The system is fully automated and everything can be attained by just clicking a certain button. Thus, users need not to worry anymore for the reason that the proposed Point of Sales and Inventory System is operationally feasible. 4.4.2 Technical Feasibility The proponents applied new technology through using computerized system. The proposed system is compatible in windows XP and windows 7 and the software requirements in visual basic. The recommended hardware requirements are processor that must be Intel Pentium IV 1.5 GHz and the Random Access Memory should be 512 MB or higher and the hard disk drive should at least 100 MB if free space or higher and the operating system is Windows XP or any higher version. The proposed system will really help the Rapa Generics Pharmacy because of its efficiency in using and processing transactions by applying the technical requirements mentioned earlier. 4.3.3 Economic Feasibility The researchers are certain that the proposed system is economically feasible because it can be afford at a price ranging from 10,000-15,000php. The technical requirements can be available in the nearest establishment selling computer parts and accessories that is why it is very accessible. The proposed system contains all in one package of a Point of Sales and  Inventory System, hence users do not need to buy anything that will just add to the expenditures of the organization. 4.3.4 Schedule Feasibility The proponents created and designed the proposed system within 3 months. The proponents constructed a computerized system and it took a lot of time for the team to accomplished it, never 4.4 System Development Life Cycle 4.4.1 System Planning In system planning, first, the proponents provide different titles and conducted a title defense. The proponents got curious on the computerized Point of Sale and Inventory System. Second, the proponents interview the employee of the Pharmacy and study the flow in their existing manual system. It easy to plan on how to make a computerized system that will help to the staff for transacting to the customer. It will help also to easily find the availability of the products. The proponents planned to make a computerized Point of Sales and Inventory System at Rapa Generics Pharmacy because they are still using manual system. 4.3.5 System Analysis In system analysis the proponents conducted an interview in the Rapa Generics Pharmacy with the branch Pharmacist to gather information regarding the existing system. The proponents conducted a survey to the customer to get their opinion about the existing manual system. If they encounter any problem for using a manual system of the Rapa Generics Pharmacy. 4.3.6 System Design The proposed system is designed to handle the transaction in selling medicines in Rapa Generics Pharmacy. this system was created in many purposes and the first is for security purpose, this proposed system includes a login form to ensure that only authorized personnel are allowed to use the system just to make sure that the data is secured and aside from that the transaction in selling medicines are become more faster because this system the proponent included the database of all available medicines in the pharmacy so that the pharmacist do not consume time in searching the appropriate medicine needed by the customer or the availability of the product. 4.3.7 System Implementation The proponents gave a request letter to Rapa Generics Pharmacy to ask their permission to use their company for the proponent’s research locale. The researchers conducted an interview to the owner and his pharmacist to gather some information needed to start the proposed computerized system and after that the researcher’s created a survey questionnaire that serve as a tool to gather information coming from the costumers of the Pharmacy. The one hundred survey questionnaire gave to the costumer of Rapa Generics Pharmacy. The proponent’s analysis and tabulated the data gathered in survey and displayed it in a graphical form using a graph. Once again conduct an interview to the owner and pharmacist to know those problems encountered using a manual system, base from the problem, the proponents produced a solution and applied it to the proposed computerized system. 4.3.8 System Support In system support, it will explain on how the program will flow and will be used. The proponents provide a system which is user friendly for the staff and also to the customer. CHAPTER V SUMMARY OF FINDINGS, CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATION 5.1 Summary Having a Computerized Point of Sales and Inventory System has the productive activity or application featured required to run a Pharmacy. Computerized Receipt and Inventory System alter the manual/traditional way of transactions between receipt, return products, and inventory that has a facility to generate report to analyze the daily and monthly sales. And the field will become more reliable to resolve some problems that were encountered using the old manual system. Computerized Point of Sale and Inventory System is the perfect way for managing a business with less time that can increase the total income produce by the sources. This study aims to change the current manual system that would be accurate and much easier to both customers and staff to use. The proponents use diagrams to implement the flow of the proposed system. 5.2 Conclusion The proponents therefore conclude that creating and designing a Point of Sale and Inventory System can help to improve every transaction easier, fast,  secured, efficient and reliable by increasing information reporting accuracy transaction monitoring of Rapa Generics Pharmacy. This system also concludes that having a concentrated automated inventory and sales report can provide a better security for their management. To save manpower at the same time can increase daily activities includes transaction process, so it will enable to calculate the stock balance. Helps to make sure that product purchased from a supplier is correctly dispensed to the customer 5.3 Recommendation After studying and analyzing the flow of the existing system of Rapa Generics Pharmacy, the proponents would like to recommend the following: The system proves to have a fast and accurate monitoring of the availability of the products, efficient and reliable for the process of transaction. The system could also save time, and make every transaction fast and make the work easier.

Arthur Miller, an Enemy of the People Essay

An Enemy of the People, depicts an intriguing playwright in which the differences of opinions between two brothers leads to a town revolution and the expulsion of one brother from the community. One brother, Dr. Stockmann, believed the contamination of the water in the town’s health spa was sufficient reasoning to be shut down. The other brother, Peter Stockmann, took an opposing stance believing that the health spa was the towns only means to economic salvation, and that closing the spa would detrimentally affect the entire population of the town. The town stood behind Peter, and the town kept the spa and maintained its financial prosperity, while Dr. Stockmann was shunned and left feeling that the town he loved had chosen the wrong priorities and was not fulfilling the moral duty to preserve life. As Peter is the protagonist in this story, the question to whether his actions were moral or immoral must be raised. The stance that this essay will take in answering this question is the Utilitarian standpoint described by John Stuart Mill. Utilitarianism must be defined if to be applied to this question. Before Mill, Utilitarianism promoted the idea of utility, or the promotion of pleasure over pain. Pleasure is then described as a happiness that all people wish to achieve. John Stuart Mill goes further to contribute that â€Å"some kinds of pleasures are more desirable and more valuable than others,† therefore, â€Å"the estimation of pleasures should be supposed to depend on quantity alone (Mill 162). † Mill also argues that the consequences are more important than the intentions behind actions. Therefore, if the consequences are good then the motivations don’t matter. Complementing the principle of utility, the greatest good for the greatest number, Mill’s definition of happiness would justify the morality of Peter Stockmann’s actions towards his brother. Peter Stockmann strongly felt that closing the health spa would drastically affect the entire town that his family had worked so hard to build. In his soapbox to the crowd Peter says, â€Å"we know what this town was without our Institute. We could barely afford to keep the streets in condition. It was a dead, third-rate hamlet (Ibsen 90). † Following with, â€Å"within five years the ncome of every man in this room will be immensely greater, and someday we will be one of the richest and most beautiful resort towns in the world. † Many good consequences come from a town that had nothing to a town with a beautiful and prosperous resort, these consequences include; a higher standard of living, better education, and a higher morale with a new sense dignity in the town. Af ter realizing these consequences, the town will never want to go back to the old ways. Just as Mill would do, Peter fights for the greater good of the society. In doing so he is providing the greatest good for the greatest amount of people regardless if a few people have the risk of being injured from the contaminated water. Dr. Stockmann had good intentions to protect the people in his town, but by standing up against the masses he actually made more harm than if he would have kept silent, these consequences include; causing a revolution in the town, the town losing him as a doctor, his daughter getting fired from her job, and his son not being able to go back to school. Dr. Stockmann had good intentions, but the horrendous outcome makes his efforts immoral according Mill. Peter Stockmann hurt a few to save many, whereas Dr. Stockmann wanted to potentially hurt many to save a few. Mill would conclude that Dr. Stockmann had to the duty to protect the health of humanity, but if he was not able to do so without keeping the happiness of society he should have let his duty go. Being raised with the ideology of treating your neighbor as you would treat yourself leaves me with a bitter taste in my mouth after arguing that Peter Stockmann was just in his course of actions. Family is family, and no matter how different views can become I do not agree in expulsing a family member. Democracy in society is a very controversial issue, because it brings up the question, are the decisions made by the masses the right decisions? Morally speaking the masses can be wrong. Like Dr. Stockmann said, â€Å"was it morally right for the masses to crucify Jesus? † The more the issue is confronted it almost makes sense that society is willing to hurt a few to save so many. I find this story very interesting because it brings up multiple issues.

English 101 Paper

Stephanie Semans December 4, 2012 English 101 Mrs. Tietjen Consumers will always disagree about whether the online marketplace is helpful or exploitative, but each individual has the independent responsibility to make the best decision. What comes to mind when someone says privacy? Places where no one can see anything, a place where you’re safe, well guess what, there unfortunally is no place like that. In the book â€Å"Blown to Bits† it explains that no matter where someone is theirs no privacy. 50 years ago, there were no cameras on the street corners or even laptops.On the laptops today there are webcams hooked into them and some turn on the computer on without knowing. I know it’s happen to me before. Even leaving the classroom to go to the bathroom you’re on at least two or three cameras. Internet consumers go online for banking and don’t think about how hackers could steal personal information. Yes it’s convenient and always there but, digital users would rather risk information for easiness and accessibility. But in a way technology and cameras are also good because Hal Abelson says â€Å"After one of the assaults, a victim took out her cell phone.Click! Within hours, a good head shot was up on the web and was shown on all the Boston area television stations. Within a day, Berman was under arrest and charged with several crimes†. (23) Technology isn’t all bad; it can be used for some good. So who’s to say that it’s neither good nor bad? Consumers can argue all they want about why it’s good or bad but no one has the right answer. Daniel Burrus of â€Å"is technology good or evil† says, â€Å"So it’s not about whether technology is good or bad; it’s about what we decide to do with technology matters†. CITE) Yes I agree that the privacy and security should be better and cause less heartache but at the same time it can be used for criminals and kidnapped people. For example, the other day my friend got her phone stolen and they pinged it to the locations it was recently at plus it could tell in a 400ft area they could narrow it down to and ended up finding it in someone’s car. Her and her family was happy that she got it back. Without the uses of technology today she wouldn’t have been able to find her phone or catch the guy on the transit.Just imagine the police are reopening cold cases because of the technology to go further in on evidence and details then they did back some decades ago. Like I said I can sit here and say that privacy is good and bad but when it comes down to it, no one has the right answer. If someone has a bad run with technology and it’s done nothing for them then yes their going to say it’s bad and causes trouble, but someone where it has helped them out so much they might say it’s amazing and I’m glad I have it. Some examples of why technology is â€Å"good† a re that the military is using it to help fly planes over the Middle East with cameras to spy.Also, without technology today we wouldn’t be able to help treat cancer with chemotherapy. Some â€Å"bad† examples are that terrorists and criminals have the ability to create bombs and hack computer to steal personal information about someone. In Korea where the woman let her dog go to the bathroom on the subway and they took pictures of her and she was known as â€Å"puppy-poo girl†, â€Å"Blown to Bits† says, â€Å"the pictures wouldn’t of made it worldwide, but the thought that it was posted and stuff is bad enough.The incident was captured by a fellow passenger and posted online. She soon became known as â€Å"gae-ttong-nyue† (Korean for â€Å"puppy poo girl†)†¦ It is unlikely that the story would have made it around the world, and that it would have achieved such notoriety and permanence)†. (Abelson 23) Last night I was look ing at the worldwide cams that are in the book and I looked up a highway near my house and it’s pretty cool because I never knew that there were cameras even hidden there.So to actually see the roads in Maryland kind of freak me out, Just knowing that the satellites can take pictures of your house from space, there really isn’t any privacy at all. Citations: Abelson, Hal, Ken Ledeen, and Harry Lewis â€Å"Naked in the Sunlight. † Blown to Bits, Uppersaddle River, NJ. Addison Wesley. 2008 19-72 print Burrus. â€Å"Is technology good or evil? † The Huffington post. Thehuffingtonpost. com, 24 Aug. 2012. Web. 03 Dec 2012. http://www. thehuffingtonpost. com/daniel-burrus/is-technology-good-or-evil_b_1826270. html.

EU Policy and Business Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2000 words

EU Policy and Business - Essay Example According to political analysts the accession of the Turkey with the European Union is expected to provide both with 'considerable opportunities and challenges' (Flam, 2003), beside serious challenges. The accession of the Turkey into European Union will clear certain reservations and misconceptions which alleged that European Union is a Christian Club, the accession will further reflect the fact that European Union is visionary of 'inclusive and tolerant society', and will exemplify that European Union is diversified association, which is 'bound together by common values of liberty, democracy, the rule of law and respect for human rights' (Oguz, 2003). It is believed that the accession will validate the European Union's firm commitment and support towards the development of a multiethnic, multicultural and multi-faith Europe, and is likely to defy the concept of 'clash of civilizations', and will nullify the social concerns towards the outspread of terrorism, through amalgamation wi th Muslim society. The critics have regarded the accession as an opportunity for the European Union to support Turkey i.e. ... The European Union is expected to secure 'respect and credibility' (Oguz, 2003), and will be able to nurture its soft image by supporting the accession of Turkey, some critics have requested the expedition of the admission process so as to discourage the rising popularity and emergence of the hard-line Islamists forces. Turkey's accession to the European Union will offer revised approach towards Islam which is compatible to the democratic values. It is believed that the accession of the Turkey with the European Union will develop an understanding that contributes towards the resolution of the concerns associated with the integration of religious beliefs and traditions with the universal principles of the modern societies. The role of the European Union is expected to get further strong and influential, and its emergence as the foreign policy actor, will impact the world politics considerably after the accession of the Turkey. The newly adopted security strategies by the European Unio n i.e. A Secure Europe in a Better World and the Wider Europe: Neighborhood under the proposal forwarded by the European Commission and the European Parliament has encouraged the European Union to give due consideration and significance to the Southern periphery for strengthening European security. It has been reported that the geo-strategic position of Turkey will broaden the scope of activities and influence in regions of vital interests to the international community i.e. the Middle East, the Mediterranean, Central Asia and South Caucasus. Turkey has forged good understanding with the Israel, Arab countries and the United States, Turkey is quoted as the credible and major negotiator who has contributed immensely for bridging the differences between the Israel and Palestinians. It is

Healthcare Ethics Discussion Forum Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Healthcare Ethics Discussion Forum - Essay Example Performing an abortion in respect of the patient’s autonomy would be legally wrong for the reason that abortion is against the law, situation that will amount to professional misconduct as indicated by Botes. According to the nursing code of ethics, a patient has a right to make decisions on the choice of treatment, medical procedures and any form of care to be provided. It is the duty of every nurse to respect that right, hence, in this case disregarding the patient’s autonomy (wish to have an abortion done) may be regarded as unethical as stipulated in the nursing code of practice. Turning her away is no better than negligence in case she ends up executing her plans in the backstreet. Supposing the nurse was to turn away the patient and the patient then goes ahead to have the abortion unprofessionally done from illegal centers, then the nurse can be charged with negligence or medical malpractice if the patient suffers any harm.

Non Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Non - Essay Example The painting has a symmetrical balance. The characters in the painting get provided with equal weight as the artist appears to have evenly divided the painting into two equal pieces by an imaginary line in the middle of the peace. The characters on each half of the painting also get drawn through the middle of each pane. The artist uses balance to evenly contrast the two emotions of the characters in the painting (Clarke 34). The artist uses a vertical color that divides the piece evenly into two. The artist uses one half to present the happy and smiling character, and the other half he employs to depict the sad character. The artist also employs the use of a curved white line around the hair of the character with a smiling face which assists to further depict the softening effect, pleasing, and sensual quality of the character. The artist uses a variety of color to communicate the emotions represented by the characters in the painting. One half of the painting gets dominated by brig ht colors while the other gets dominated by dark colors. On the character with a smiling face and what appears to be a happy mood, the artist employs the use of white tints of yellow, brown, blue, purple, and black. The use of a variety of tinted colors makes this half of the painting easily striking compared to the other half. ... The use of these shades provides the character with a heavy look. The artist employs the use of diagonal lines on both halves of the painting. On the background of each character, there appear diagonal lines with varying tint and shades. On the background of the happy character, the artist uses cross-cutting diagonal lines of white tint lines of clue. The background of the sad character gets characterized by cross-cutting diagonal lines of brown shade. The use of diagonal lines in the piece by the artist assists to create movement within the picture and thus create varying focal points within the artwork. The artist also draws a balance at the center of the piece by using an almost vertical line that consists of multiple colors of different shades and tints. Through the use of various colors and lines, the artist employs the use of texture throughout the painting. The half with a happy character has a smooth texture. The artist achieves this by using white tint of various colors. The white tint used on this half of the painting provides it with a light feel. The artist also seems to have employed the use of smooth and gentle brush strokes on this half of the painting (Clark 67). The artist also uses straight diagonal lines in the background of the character making this half of the painting to have an overall smooth feel. The use of dark shade on the half with the sad character provides the painting with a rough feel. The dark shade paint used provides a thick feel to this half of the painting. The shade on this half of the piece appears to have gotten created seem to have gotten created out of broad and impulse brush strokes. This provides the sad character with a dynamic and rough feel. Emphasis on the painting is on the contrast of the two characters within

Alzheimer's disease relate to aging Research Paper

Alzheimer's disease relate to aging - Research Paper Example This document examines the prevalence of Alzheimer’s among the elderly persons and the resources available in Marshall County for helping the victims of the condition. As persons advance in age, the body undergoes various changes in their brains and results to dementias (UCSF Memory and Aging Center, 2014). For example, the brain shrinks that occur in the prefrontal cortex and hippocampus. The shrinking of the brain interferes with memory, learning, planning, etc. The changes in neurons and neurotransmitters can degrade the white matter and result to reduction in communication (UCSF Memory and Aging Center, 2014). In some instances, plagues and tangles structures develops outside and inside of the neurons respectively thus causing the brain cells to stop working and eventually die thus causing failure of memory, change in characters and complications with carry out day to day activities (Swaab et al., 2011). Also, changes in blood vessels occur with age, resulting to reduced blood flow due to narrowing of the arteries and less growth of new capillaries. With age, there is an increase in brain inflammation and increase in damages caused by free rad icals that interfere with normal functioning of the brain (Swaab et al., 2011). The changes in brain that occurs with age are the most likely cause of Alzheimer’s among the elderly persons. The most notable change in brain with age is atrophy or the shrinking of some parts of the brain, the secretion on wobbly molecules known as free radicals, the brain inflammation and dysfunction of the mitochondrial resulting to collapse of generation of energy within the cells (Swaab et al., 2011). Various studies have established that five percent of persons with Alzheimer’s occur due to inherited factors from the parents. An example is the familial Alzheimer’s disorder caused by alterations occurring in one of the inheritable genes in human

Description of the role and importance of the NAACP for Public Research Paper

Description of the role and importance of the NAACP for Public Administration class greating writing skills needed - Research Paper Example This paper describes the NAACP influence in the development of new legislation, some of its social programs, defines its sponsorship role in various advocacy efforts, and also its influence in changing youth and labor laws that benefit not only black citizens, but general society as well. A riot which occurred in 1908 in Springfield, Illinois, the hometown of former President Abraham Lincoln, sparked social outcry about the ongoing victimization and violence against blacks. After these events, two notable white liberals that were direct descendents of individuals involved in the abolitionist movement, Oswald Garrison Villard and Mary White Ovington, coordinated a meeting to discuss this violence and prejudice in order to discuss matters of improving racial justice (africanaonline.com, 2009). There were sixty people in attendance to this meeting call and, interestingly, only seven of these individuals were actually African-American (africanaonline.com). From these discussions, the NAACP was founded with a mission to secure African-American rights by securing their liberties protected by the 13th – 15th amendments of the U.S. Constitution. These amendments guaranteed slavery’s abolition and equal protection under American law. Shortly thereafter, the NAAC P selected its headquarters to be based in New York and began organizing new members and coordinating research projects that are still ongoing today in favor of securing African-American needs. The NAACP has been an advocacy group working closely with public figures such as Martin Luther King, Jr. and has been integral in many social change policies and legislative improvements to advance this social groups’ needs, careers, and status position in American society. The efforts of the NAACP have paved the way for equal opportunity and other important black liberation movements. The association describes itself this

Evaluation Review Paper Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Evaluation Review Paper - Essay Example My personality has also changed as I was much introvert and isolated, but when I was required to deal with many people on daily basis, I attained confidence and way of interacting successfully with people. If I check the role of journaling in my progress professionally as well as personally, I consider it quite beneficial. I was to input my experiences and my feelings regarding my work and these narratives helped me to analyze my performance at work and to bring in improvements. Sometimes, I felt weird while dealing with my clients because I was not able to meet their demands, but later on, I learned to control my behavior and temper in order to facilitate them with what they wanted. When I started working in WHW, I had a different personality. As I have mentioned earlier on, I was very shy, introvert and confused, but after learning to work in an organizational setting, I saw improvement in my professional as well as personal personality. I am quite different from what I was before. When I used to see clothes and show the clients, what they needed as a personal shopper, I felt quite weird and confused and I easily lost my temper. However, with the passage of time and learning, I was much better in dealing with the clients without losing my temper. I spent hours and hours with them to show them what they needed. I learned a lot to work as a personal shopper. I marveled in my work to assist people who were in need of help. However, sometimes, I was also worried and disturbed when I was overloaded with additional work. The process of field seminar was beneficial. Initially, I was afraid of having a collaborative experience and in corresponding and interacting with different people, but when I started the process of corresponding with other people, it appeared quite interesting. I used to help my companion interns and we helped each other in our

Fish Depletion Paper Research Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words

Fish Depletion - Research Paper Example In addition, advancement in technology enabled more areas of the oceans to be exploited. According to a report by the Food Agricultural Organization, an estimated 25 percent of the global fish species have been depleted or fully exploited (Srinivasan 183). It is however unimaginable to have a world without marine life. More than 2.6 billion people in developing countries depend on fish to provide them with animal protein and depletion of fish stock would affect food security and nutritional status of this people. Moreover, fish depletion would have significant impacts to the world economy given that fishing industry employs more than 150 million people and is a source livelihood for the poor (Srinivasan 183). The causes of fish depletion include overfishing, pollution, habitat destruction, climate change and invasive species. However, human causes are the cause of fish depletion. The paper will analyze the causes of fish depletion and recommend ways that will help reverse this trend. Causes of Fish Depletion The first main cause of fish depletion is overfishing where fish species are trapped at a rate that is faster than they reproduce (Scrimgeour, et al. 957).Overfishing is the biggest threat to fish population more than even the contribution of pollution. Overfishing results from better fishing methods and high demand for fish products are blamed for overfishing. Overfishing is a serious environmental issue given that depletes adult fish leaving fish that are not able to breed. The period between 1950 and 1994 saw the ocean fish catch grow by more than 400 percent and by 1998 the total global fish catch was approximated to be 93 million tons which and subsequent years were followed by a decline in the fish capture (Clare 73). The reduction is an indication that overfishing has led to fish declines. The main reason behind overfishing is due to global fishing vessels that are currently five times larger than the equipments that are required to sustainably catch fish produced in the oceans (Clare 73). In fact the worldwide active fishing vessels have a capacity to fill four planets equal to earth’s surface (Clare 75). Overcapacity is therefore removing fish at a rate faster than their rate of breeding. In addition to overcapacity of the fishing vessels, most fishing methods being used currently lead to negative impacts to the ecosystem. Bottom trawling for instance is a poor fishing given that it uses a non-selective fishing method and heavy gear leading to destruction of marine life. The method destroys fish breeding grounds and kills some fish species. Some fishing gears used currently also lead to trapping of fingerlings which are then killed thereby reducing the fish stock. In some developing countries, there have been cases of fishermen using mosquito nets whose pores are too small thereby catching the young fish. This has led to high rates of fish depletion with current data indicating that over 50 % of the fish stock are full y exploited, 20 percent have been moderately exploited while a further 17 percent is overexploited (Tsitsika et al. 731). 7 percent have been completely depleted although only 1 percent is recovering from depletion. In 1992, the formerly thriving cod industry came to a halt after there was no fish as the fishing season began (Tsitsika et al. 731). The other main cause of fish depletion is increased rates of pollution. Ocean pollution is negatively affecting the

Prison industries Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Prison industries - Essay Example However, on ground evidence suggests that correctional companies are not earning a sufficient amount of profit over their investment inside the correctional industry. Rather, they incur more cost than earning a sufficient amount of profit. The fundamental cause is that ever increasing cost over maintaining such correctional facilities have brought down the profit of such companies. And this ever growing cost is simultaneously visible in both private and public run correctional facilities. Additionally, in some states, there are more facilities and lesser inmates. As a result, this increases cost of maintaining such facilities. Furthermore, there are certain studies which suggest that more legislation is required to bring many types of offences under the cover of constitution. Or on many such issues, the process of legislation is very slow. Fundamentally, this issue has been politicized and the political parties move in a way to satisfy their political interests rather than taking suc h steps necessary to get approved the necessary legislation. Aggregately, these factors diminish the chances of profitability in the correctional industry. However certain measures may be suggested to improve the possibility of profitability in the industry.

The Augustinian Theodicy Essay Example for Free

The Augustinian Theodicy Essay Throughout history, the problems of evil and suffering have always been prevalent in the world. The problems can be split up into two types: moral evil and natural suffering. Moral evil is generally viewed as anything that is caused by humans and inflicts pain (physical or psychological) or death or obstructs lifes freedom and/or expression; for example, murder, war, crime. Natural suffering is generally viewed as events that occur because of the physical world or environment; for example, earthquakes, volcanoes, flooding. Evil and suffering therefore present believers in the God of Classical Theism with a logical problem- one of them being the Inconsistent Triad. The Inconsistent Triad consists of three premises: 1- God is omnipotent; 2- God is omnibenevolent; 3- there is evil in the world. All three premises cannot be true at the same time which means either God does not exist or there is no evil in the world. St Augustine of Hippo, who lived from 354 to 430 AD in the Roman Province of Africa, was a Manichaean (Persian and Dualist religion) in his early until he later converted to Christianity. Augustine proposed a theodicy, which is an attempt to reconcile the existence of an omnibenevolent and omnipotent God with the undeniable fact of evil and suffering in the world; it is derived from the Greek words theos or God and dike or justice. Augustines theodicy explains that according to Genesis, God being perfect created a perfect world where because of His goodness and perfection, God gave humans free will. Therefore, the possibility of evil is necessary as the world can never be as perfect as God. The Fall is also central to his theodicy because when Adam and Eve disobeyed God, mans original purity was lost and all their descendents inherited original sin and original guilt because they were seminally present in the loins of Adam. As a result, we all deserve the consequences which means moral evil is a misuse of our freedom and natural evil is punishment for all mans sins. The theodicy goes further in explaining that we cannot blame God for evil as evil is not a thing in itself but rather privatio boni, which is Latin for the privation of good. This means evil is not an entity, but a lack of goodness or righteousness therefore evil only happens when good goes wrong. Augustines theodicy essentially says that God is right not to interfere with problems of evil and suffering in the world, as it is perfectly justified that we should suffer and at the end of our lives- if we have accepted that Gods forgiveness is necessary- we will go to Heaven, otherwise all non-believers will be punished in Hell for eternity. For some Christians- mainly fundamental Christians- Augustines theodicy succeeds in justifying evil and suffering in the world. However, for non-Christians and even liberal Christians, the theodicy fails for a number of different reasons. The theodicy fails in some ways because of the advance in science. Augustines theodicy is based on the Bible being interpreted as literal which opens him up to two scientific criticisms. In contrast to evolution theory, which is now widely accepted as an explanation for the existence of complex organisms through the gradual process of natural selection and random mutations over generations, if the Bible is taken as literal truth, then the theodicy is the reverse of evolution as it prescribes humans were created first. Another scientific criticism is whilst Augustine says we were all seminally present in the loins of Adam, our genes suggest otherwise. Not only does each person have their own unique DNA (with the exception of identical twins), other factors contribute to how a person develops, such as their socialization, which can create psychological differences too. Therefore it would be wrong to say that all humans are the same as Adam. Furthermore, there are logical criticisms of Augustines theodicy. If evil is not a thing in itself, then good and evil would unknown to Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden. So in Genesis, when Eve ate the forbidden fruit, she had no concept of evil. Schleiermacher, a late 18th/early 19th Century German philosopher, agreed the theodicy is flawed because he said it was a logical contradiction to say that a perfectly created world had gone wrong, since this would mean that evil had created itself ex nihilo, which is impossible. Either the world was created imperfect or God allowed it to go wrong. Perhaps the most important criticisms are moral as they challenge God. Being omniscient, God should have known that things would go wrong and being omnipotent, He could have made creation better and less flawed. Also, the creation of Hell is puzzling because surely God would not create it unless He knew that The Fall would happen which further questions His perfection. Not only that, the selection process for Heaven is discriminate as Heaven can be viewed as an exclusive club for people who have turned to Christ and accepted the need for Gods forgiveness. Therefore, God is wasteful of good souls as they would be punished eternally for having no Christian belief- even if they had been morally good people their whole lives. This clearly questions Gods omnibenevolence and fairness. At first evaluation, St Augustines theodicy appears to make some good points about the reasons for evil and suffering in the world, particularly his comparison of evil to darkness and them being an absence of good and light respectively. However on closer inspection, there are some clear flaws with the theodicy which challenge the God of Classical Theism as they criticise His creation and more importantly- Gods omnibenevolence. The theodicy works well for fundamental Christians, but is not effective in convincing other Christians and non-Christians into the reasons for the existence of evil and suffering in the world as it presents us with an arbitrary and flawed God.

Dumping And Anti Dumping In International Trade

Dumping And Anti Dumping In International Trade Introduction International trade in the 21st century is a highly competitive area, with every nation trying its best to attain the competitive advantage. The benefits of being the dominant player in the game of trade are sufficient enough to lure even the least developed nation to embark on an aggressive trade strategy. The trade element provides benefits not only on the economic front but also has the unlimited potential of providing vital political advantage. The examples of such benefits have changed the course of human history for several centuries. The European power bloc enjoyed the trade advantage till the World Wars destroyed their mainland, following which the advantage shifted to the United States. But even US felt the heat of Japanese trade policies in the 1960s and 1970s, while during the last decade of the 20th century world saw the short-lived prominence of the Asian tigers. With the new century came a new set of players known as the emerging markets along a handful of prominent pla yer, who were tagged as the BRIC bloc by Jim O Neil of the Goldman Sachs. The trans-national trade has always had its effect on the international relations mainly because it took the a zero-sum game form rather than the win-win situation, thus going against the theories advanced by Adam Smith, Frederick von Hayak and Milton Friedman. Maintaining the dominance in trade became essential as monetary benefits in the form of current account and capital account surplus became more critical for furthering the growth of various national economies. Hence countries have been forced to engage themselves in a series of trade-distortion techniques like dumping, currency devaluation and so on. China, the export behemoth, supported its export oriented industrial units through the simplest monetary tool depreciation of the domestic currency against the global currencies. This depreciated Chinese Yuan made exports more attractive and provided adequate trade surplus for China against global importers like US and European countries. The other nations also attempted to use t his tool, but only a few were able to reap the right benefits. Currency manipulation was a serious crime according to International Monetary Fund (IMF) and the various central banks across the world. Hence exporting countries including China resorted to other mechanisms to support its exports. With the national Governments providing adequate subsidies to the manufacturing concerns, low-cost production was achieved by the exporters. The cost-advantage helped the exporters to push their goods into overseas markets and break the existing dominant industries in the overseas markets. This led to the scenario known as dumping and enraged importing countries, mainly in the West, used customized anti-dumping measures to counter this wave of dumping. The emergence of World Trade Organization (WTO) in 1995 and a series of agreements in the late 1990s and in the first decade of the 21st century provided a standardized framework for countering the anti-dumping worldwide. This report examines the scenario of dumping and also analyses the anti-dumping measures taken up by various nation-states, supported by various trade blocs. The measures provided by WTO to support anti-dumping rules and to prevent its abuse are also critical to the study done in this report. The report would also accommodate some cases in anti-dumping, with respect to India, China and Developed countries, inorder to further explain anti-dumping as a prevalent trade measure. Dumping Anti-Dumping Exporters who sell their products at a price lower than the domestic market prices and production costs are guilty of dumping. With nations getting more and more tuned towards protecting their domestic industries against foreign competitors, more and more cases of dumping are being reported world wide. The main tool against dumping for most sovereign states is the use of national laws pertaining to trade in the form of Anti-Dumping Measures. Like in case of any regulation initiated with good intentions, abuse of these regulations has also risen with time. Thus World Trade Organization was forced to take up the issue of dumping and anti-dumping through a series of regulations using the General Agreement of Tariffs and Trade (GATT) clauses. ANTI-DUMPING: TERMS Normal Price/Comparable Value It is the price of the product when sold in the ordinary course of trade for consumption in the exporting country. A fair comparison is required to be made between the normal price and the export price and it should be made at the same level of trade at ex factory level and in respect of sales made at as nearly possible the same time. In certain circumstances, there may be no sales in the domestic market to enable comparison, in which case, it may not be possible to determine normal value. In such circumstances, there are two alternative methods which have been provided for determination of the normal value. The price at which the product is sold to a third country. The constructed value of the product, which is calculated on the basis of the cost of production plus selling, general and administrative expenses and normal profits. Insufficient volume of sales: if certain sales are made below their cost, then they are to be ignored for computation purposes and the normal value would be determined based on remaining sales. The remaining sales would normally be considered as sufficient if they constitute 5% or more of the export sales made to the country conducting the investigation against dumping. De-minimis rule: In case the remaining sales are insufficient on account of insignificant volume of sales in the home market, then the normal value would be computed based on the alternative methods provided. Indirect exports: If products are not imported directly from the country of manufacture but from an intermediate country, the normal value is to be determined on the basis of sales in the market of the originating country unless this may result in an inappropriate or impossible comparison. Export Price The export price is generally based on the transaction price at which the foreign producer sells the product to an importer in the importing country. However, in certain cases the transaction price may not be appropriate for purposes of comparison with normal value. These circumstances may arise in case of: Internal transfers i.e. transfer between the same entities from one location to another, where there is no transaction value; Barter or exchange transactions, where the money value is absent; Where the relationship existing between the exporter and the importer may have an influence or bearing on the price negotiated or For such other reasons where the transaction price may not be considered to be at arms-length. In such cases, the transaction value cannot be adopted and the export price needs to be determined based on an appropriate alternative method. However, the construction of the export price should be reasonable and based on facts and circumstances, which are warranted in each case. The export price may be constructed based on: Price at which the imported product is first resold to an independent buyer The constructed price should have allowances for costs including duties and taxes, incurred between the importation of the product and its resale to an independent purchaser, as well as for reasonable profits accruing there from. The constructed price should also give allowances for factors such as different levels of trade, conditions and terms of sale, taxation, quantities, physical characteristics, and other matters demonstrated to affect price comparability Conversion of currency: The comparison of the normal value with that of export price would require conversion of currency. Normally, when the base currency is different from USD or Euro, they are converted into USD or Euro for the purpose of calculations. In such cases, the exchange rate to be used should be one on date of sale. In case of a forward currency sale, the exchange rate adopted for the forward transaction should be used for conversion. Like Product The term like product is defined as a product that is identical, i.e. alike in all respects to the product under consideration, or in the absence of such a product, another product which although not alike in all respects, has characteristics closely resembling those of the product under consideration. Sales in ordinary course of Trade In order to enable comparison of the export price and the normal price, the anti dumping investigations need to determine whether the sales in the domestic market of the exporting country are made in ordinary course of trade or not. In case the price at which the goods are sold in the domestic market is below its cost, then prima facie, it would mean that the sales made in the domestic market are not in the ordinary course of trade. Accordingly, such sales may be disregarded in the determination of normal value. However, sales made below costs may not be disregarded for determination of normal value where they allow for recovery of costs within a reasonable period of time, which may normally be one year or are insignificant. Anti dumping: WTO Regulations The WTO is the only International body dealing with the rules and regulations of trade between nations. The WTO Agreements negotiated and signed by bulk of the worlds trading ratified in their parliaments. WTO took over the reins from GATT in the year 95 and its objective is no different. It is focused on maintaining trade balance between the developed, developing and under developed countries. Some of its objectives are That international economic relations should be conducted with a view to raising standards of living, ensuring full employment and a large and steadily growing volume of real income and effective demand; Expanding the production of trade in goods and services; While allowing for the optimum use of the worlds resources in accordance with the objectives of sustainable development, seeking both to preserve the environment and to enhance the means of doing so in a manner consistent with their respective needs and concerns at different levels of economic development. WTO, seen from the past, intends to achieve the stated objectives by one or more of the following mode or means: Administering trade agreements Acting as a forum for trade negotiations and settlement of trade disputes Reviewing national trade policies Assisting developing countries in trade policy issues, through technical assistance and training program Co-operating with other international organization In an effort to bring cross border transactions and free trade between nations it signed a lot of agreements in this regard. As a result of it lead to the implementation of the article VI of GATT 1994, which is popularly known as the Anti- dumping Agreement. Wherever WTO seeks for free trade it also makes sure that the trade fair and full. Article of VI of GATT: It states that the practice of exporting goods from one country to another at less than the normal value should be strictly condemned if it causes or threatens to cause material injury to an established industry in the territory of a contracting party or materially retards the establishment of a domestic industry. In order to seek implementation of the said Article, member nations at WTO have entered into an agreement called the Agreement on implementation of Article VI and more-popularly referred to as the Anti-dumping Agreement. A product is considered as being dumped i.e. introduced into the commerce of another country at less than its normal value if the export price of the product from one country to another is less than the comparable price, in the ordinary course of trade, for the like product when destined for consumption in the exporting country. The activity of throwing goods at less than their normal value into another country would be called dumping. When dumping causes or threatens to cause material injury to domestic industry of the importing country, the action undertaken to counteract the said dumping, by the importing country, is called as anti-dumping. WTO lays down the basic principles on how a Nation can or cannot react to dumping. In this regard, it would be essential for a member country to prove that there should have been a material and genuine injury to its competing domestic industry, before in any manner, taking steps against dumping. The importing country is allowed to take action against dumping, when: Dumping is not only said but also shown to have taken place by the importing country; On the basis of dumping, being said to exist, the importing country is able to establish from reliable information and considering all possible factors that such dumping has actually caused or could cause, material injury to its domestic industry; and Lastly, as a reasonable justification for any action against dumping, the importing country should be able to present the calculation stating the extent of dumping i.e. the difference between the export price and the normal price in the exporters home country. The agreement has given three ways to calculate the case of dumping Difference between the price in the exporters domestic market (called normal value) and the price charged for export to the subject nation, in the absence of the price in the domestic market. The second method is to compare the price charged by the exporter for exports to another country that to the price charged on export to the subject nation. In the absence of the comparable price , the price in the exporters market is derived from the cost incurred by the manufacturer and then it is subjected to the importing nation Approach adopted to counter Dumping An action imposing and collecting dumping would require a three step approach; The establishment of evidence in favour of dumping. In India, the following conditions need to be fulfilled before initiating an action against dumping: The product which is said to have been dumped, has been imported into India from a country outside India The export price is less than the comparable price Consequent to being dumped, it has caused or the effect of causing material injury to manufacturers of like product in India. The transaction alleging dumping is undertaken in the ordinary course of trade The establishment of evidence in respect of its injury In the context of dumping, the term injury has been defined to mean either material injury to a domestic industry, threat of material injury to a domestic industry, or Material retardation of the establishment of a domestic industry. The determination of injury must be based on positive evidence which would normally involve an objective examination of the volume of the dumped imports and the effect it has on the prices in the domestic market for like products and the consequent impact of these imports on domestic producers of such products. Also, in certain circumstances, producers who are related to the exporters or importers of the product under investigation and producers who are themselves importers of the allegedly dumped product. In this regard, a producer would be deemed to be related to the exporter or importer if: one of them directly or indirectly controls the other both of them are directly or indirectly controlled by a third person together they directly or indirectly control a third person, subject to the condition that there are grounds for believing or suspecting that the effect of the relationship is such as to cause the producers to behave differently from non-related producers Evaluation of Injury The investigating authorities have to develop analytical methods for consideration of these factors such as volume and price which may be regarded as relevant in the light and circumstances of each case. The authorities need to evaluate all relevant economic factors having bearing upon the state of the domestic industry. In this regard, a number of factors have been listed such as actual or potential declines in sales, profits, output, market share, productivity, return on investments, utilization of capacity, actual or potential effects on cash flow, inventories, employment, wages, growth, ability to raise capital or investments, and the magnitude of the margin of dumping. In evaluating the injury to the domestic industry, the investigating authorities are required to consider whether there has been significant price undercutting in respect of the dumped imports as compared to the price of the like product in the domestic industry of the importing country. Causal Link: As regards the establishment of material injury, it needs to be demonstrated that there is a causal relationship between the article that is alleged as being dumped and the injury it seeks to cause to the domestic industry manufacturing or producing like product. The investigating authorities need to analyze factors such as change in technology and change in the pattern of demand etc. which can cause material injury to the domestic industry but these factors are not arising on account of dumping, as they need to be excluded in evaluating the injury on account of dumping. Therefore, the investigating authorities are required to develop analytical methods for determining only those factors which have a causal link between dumping of alleged goods and its consequent injury to the domestic industry. Cumulative Analysis: In cases where an article is found to be dumped into the importing country from more than one country, it is possible to undertake a cumulative analysis of the article being dumped. In this regard, it is provided that the authorities must be required to determine the margin of dumping from each country and that such margin should not be less than 2%, expressed as a percentage of the export price for each country and that the volume of imports from each country should not be less than 3% of the imports of like articles. In this regard, if the imports from one country is less than 3%, then such investigation may be possible if the collective imports from all such countries is not be less than 7% of the import of like articles. Dumping Calculation: The margin of dumping is normally calculated as the difference between the weighted average normal value and the weighted average price of all comparable exports. In certain cases, this comparison may be done on a transaction-to-transaction basis. The difference between the normal value and export price is called as the margin. In case the export price differs significantly among different purchasers, regions or time periods, then comparison based on weighted average export price may not be appropriate. In such cases, the investigating authorities would compare the weighted average normal value with that of the export price on individual transaction basis. This situation is referred to as targeted dumping. Assessment of Duty: Normally, the assessment of dumping margin for the purpose of the levy of anti-dumping duty is to be calculated with respect to each exporter or producer of the product concerned under investigation. However, such a system may not be practically feasible in all cases and thus the investigating authorities may limit the number of exporters, importers, or products individually considered and impose the anti-dumping duty even on uninvestigated sources, on the basis of the weighted average dumping margin established with respect to exporters or producers actually examined. ANTI-DUMPING: Procedures Initiation of Investigation The investigations against dumping are required to be normally initiated on the basis of a written request submitted by or on behalf of a domestic industry and it needs to be supported by those domestic producers whose collective output constitutes more than 50% of the total production of the like product. However, the investigation would not be initiated when domestic producers expressly supporting the application account for less than 25% of total production of the like product produced in the domestic industry of the importing country. The application is required to contain the following information: Evidence of dumping, injury and the causal link The identity of the applicant and a description of the volume and value of the domestic production of the like product by the applicant. Complete description of the allegedly dumped product, the names of the country or countries of origin or export in question, the identity of each known exporter or foreign producer and a list of known persons importing the product in question Information on prices at which the product in question is sold when destined for consumption in the domestic markets of the country or countries of origin or export Information on the evolution of the volume of the allegedly dumped imports, the effect of these imports on prices of the like product in the domestic market and the consequent impact of the imports on the domestic industry On receipt of the application the investigating authorities would examine the accuracy and adequacy of the evidence provided for determining whether there is sufficient evidence to justify the initiation of an investigation and before initiating investigation, the authorities need to notify the exporting country. Conduct of Investigation The authorities are required to guarantee the confidentiality of sensitive information and verify the information on which determinations are based. In order to ensure transparency, the authorities are also required to disclose the information on which determinations are to be based to all interested parties and to provide them with adequate opportunity to make or provide their comments. The investigating authorities are required to give notice to all interested parties viz. Exporter, the government of exporter and the producers of like products, about the investigation. The procedure of investigation is as follows: Preliminary Screening: The application is scrutinized to ensure that it is fully documented and provides sufficient evidence for initiating an investigation. In case of any discrepancy, a deficiency letter is issued. Initiation: the designated authority, after examining the accuracy and adequacy of the evidence regarding dumping, injury and causal link, issues a public notice initiating an investigation. The initiation notice is ordinarily to be issued within 5 days from the date of receipt of a properly documented application. Access to Information: The authority provides access to the non-confidential evidence presented to it by various interested parties in the form of a public file, which is available for inspection to all interested parties on request after receipt of the responses. Preliminary Findings: Based on the information available before it and based on further information collected by the authority, a preliminary finding is made, which would also contain the reasons behind the determination made by the authority. In this regard, the preliminary finding is undertaken normally within 90 days from the date of initiation. Provisional Duty: In case the authority considers it necessary, it may recommend the Central Government to impose a provisional duty, not exceeding the margin of dumping, on the basis of the preliminary finding recorded by it. The provisional duty can be imposed only after the expiry of 60 days from the date of initiation of investigation. Further, such duty will remain in force for a period not exceeding six months but which may be extended to nine months under certain circumstances. Oral Evidence Public Hearing: Interested parties are allowed to request the designated authority to afford them an opportunity to present their case and relevant information orally. However, the designated authority would consider the oral information only when it is subsequently reproduced in writing. Disclosure of Information: The designated authority, based on the submissions and evidence gathered during the investigation and verification would proceed to make the determination of the final findings and formulate the basis thereof. Final Determination: The interested parties would submit their response to the disclosure and the authority would consider such submissions before taking a final position on the matter. Time-limit for investigation process: the normal time allowed for completion of the investigation process is one year from the date of initiation of the investigation. The Central Government is empowered to extend such period by another six months. Price Undertaking Price Undertaking refers to a voluntary undertaking by exporters to revise the price or to cease exports to the area in question at dumped prices so that the authorities are satisfied that the injurious effect of the dumping is eliminated. However, the Central Government would be allowed to accept the price undertakings from exporters only after preliminary affirmative determination has been made that dumping exists and that consequent to dumping, injury has also been caused to the domestic industry. The investigating authorities are required to complete their investigation on the dumping and its consequent injury, in the event it is desired by the exporter or by the investigating authorities despite accepting the price undertakings. In case the investigation leads to a negative determination of dumping or injury, then the undertaking given shall automatically lapse. Special Status Anti dumping duty is not applicable for imports made by export oriented units unless the intention to levy on their imports is specifically stated in the notification. Export Oriented Units specifically include: Free trade zone means a zone which the Central Government may, by notification in the Official Gazette, specify in this behalf; Hundred per cent export-oriented undertaking means an undertaking which has been approved as a hundred per cent export-oriented undertaking by the Board appointed in this behalf by the Central Government in exercise of the powers conferred by section 14 of the Industries Act, 1951; Special economic zone means a zone which the Central Government may, by notification in the Official Gazette, specify in this behalf. Provisional Measures The investigating authorities are allowed to take certain provisional measures in the form of levy of provisional duty for import of goods alleged to be dumped. These provisional measures are allowed only when the following conditions are fulfilled: The investigating authorities have initiated the investigation giving proper public notice and interested parties have been given adequate opportunities to submit information and make their comments; The investigating authorities have a preliminary affirmative determination in favour of dumping and its consequent injury to the domestic industry; The investigating authorities judge that such provisional measures are necessary to prevent injury being caused during the investigation period. ANTI-DUMPING: Indian Context Indian laws regarding trade, including anti-dumping laws were amended with effect from 1st January 1995, following Indias entry into the WTO. The anti-dumping provisions were amended keeping in line with the WTO Agreement. The investigations regarding anti-dumping duty are under Sections 9A of the Customs Tariff Act, 1975. Even though, anti dumping duty provides for countering the issue of dumping, countervailing duties are more useful for countering the direct and indirect subsidies by various national governments on their respective industries. In any case, the Indian Government has to prove injury and causal link need to be proved in front of the WTO panel on anti-dumping. The investigations pertaining to dumping are governed by the amended provisions of Customs Tariff act of 1975. Safeguards in the form of tariff increases or quantitative restrictions were earlier used to counter the increased imports due to dumping, but nowadays such measures invite compensation payment to tradi ng partners in appropriate cases. The Customs Tariff Act, 1975 Sections 9A, 9B and 9C, amended in 1995 and the Customs Tariff (Identification, Assessment and Collection of Anti-dumping Duty on Dumped Articles and for Determination of Injury) Rules, 1995, were framed to provide the legal basis for anti-dumping investigations and for the levy of anti-dumping duties, based on the Agreement on Anti-Dumping which is in pursuance of Article VI of GATT 1994. The investigations and recommendations on dumping issues are handled by Designated Authority, under the Ministry of Commerce, while the imposition and collection of anti-dumping duties are handled by Ministry of Finance. The Indian industry must be able to show that dumped imports are causing or are threatening to cause material injury to the Indian domestic industry. Material retardation to the establishment of an industry is also regarded as injury. The material injury or threat thereof cannot be based on mere allegation, statement or conjecture. Sufficient evidence must be provided to support the contention of material injury. Injury analysis can broadly be divided in two major areas: The Volume Effect The Designated Authority examines the volume of the dumped imports, including the extent to which there has been or is likely to be a significant increase in the volume of dumped imports, either in absolute terms or in relation to production or consumption in India, and its affect on the domestic industry. The Price Effect The effect of the dumped imports on prices in the Indian market for like articles, including the existence of price undercutting, or the extent to which the dumped imports are causing price depression or preventing price increases for the goods which otherwise would have occurred. The consequent economic and financial impact of the dumped imports on the concerned Indian industry can be demonstrated, inter alia, by : decline in output loss of sales loss of market share reduced profits decline in productivity decline in capacity utilization reduced return on investments price effects adverse effects on cash flow, inventories, employment, wages, growth, investments, ability to raise capital, etc. Application Procedure Applications can be made by or on behalf of the concerned domestic industry to the Designated Authority in the Ministry of Commerce for an investigation of any alleged dumping. The designated Authority may initiate an investigation when there is sufficient evidence that dumped imports are causing or are threatening to cause material injury to the Indian industry producing like articles or are materially retarding the establishment of an industry. Copies of the prescribed application pro-forma are available from the Ministry of Commerce. Applications should be submitted to the Designated Authority in the Ministry of Commerce in the prescribed form. Guidelines on how to complete a questionnaire are a part of the prescribed