Reconciliation disputes are usually what delay pharma payments, so the notice should attach a clear ledger and separate undisputed dues from disputed credit notes. MSME units supplying marketing companies use Samadhaan; distributors with cheque dues use Section 138; agreements often have arbitration clauses.
Pharmaceuticals and pharma distribution in Mumbai
Mumbai is India’s largest B2B market and its dues are the most varied: garment exporters in Dharavi and Andheri, chemical traders in Masjid Bunder, agencies and consultants billing corporates in BKC and Lower Parel. Cheque-based payments are still common in trading, so Section 138 is a frequent route, and arbitration clauses in corporate contracts often decide where a dispute is heard.
Manufacturers sell to marketing companies on 45 to 90 day credit; stockists and distributors carry brand dues against schemes, expiry returns and credit notes that are reconciled slowly.
Proof to collect
Typically purchase orders, batch-wise invoices, GRNs or stockist acknowledgements, scheme and credit-note records, and the distribution agreement.
- Avoid: unsigned credit notes and scheme adjustments
- Avoid: expiry and breakage returns with no agreed policy
- Avoid: loan-licence work without a written manufacturing agreement
- Avoid: distribution agreements with an arbitration clause nobody read
Forums in Mumbai
| Route | Forum |
|---|---|
| Section 138 (cheque bounce) | Metropolitan Magistrate courts (Esplanade, Mazgaon, Andheri, Bandra, Kurla and others) for Section 138 complaints |
| Summary suit / recovery suit | City Civil Court and the Bombay High Court Commercial Division for high-value recovery suits. |
| MSME Samadhaan | Maharashtra Micro and Small Enterprises Facilitation Councils (regional councils for Mumbai, Pune, Nashik, Nagpur, Aurangabad and Amravati regions) (detail) |
| Arbitration | As per the contract clause |
How FundRaksha works for pharmaceuticals and pharma distribution suppliers in Mumbai
- Free assessment of the documents your trade produces.
- Notice within 24 hours, itemising invoices, disputed and undisputed amounts and interest.
- Negotiation and documented settlement.
- Filing in Mumbai or before the Council if needed.
30% on recovery, nothing upfront.