STRIKE ALERT: Chemists across India to keep doors shut on 28 September

We are observing one day strike on Friday, September 28, to protest any move by the government allowing the sale of medicines through an internet or allowing e-pharmacies to operate in India in any form," AIOCD said in a statement

Chandigarh: Chemist Associations of Chandigarh, Panchkula and Mohali has announced it will be observing the September 28 bandh, which was called by All India Organisation of Chemists and Druggists (AIOCD), Chandigarh Chemist Association president Vijay Anand and general secretary Vinay Jain said online pharmacies are a threat to public health and the business of regular pharmacists in the country.

All India Organisation of Chemists and Druggists (AIOCD) will go on a nationwide strike against the draft rules by the Union Health Ministry to regulate the sale of drugs through e-portal and implementation of online pharmacy.

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There are 8.5 lakh members in the Chemists Association of all States and Union Territories in the country, they said.

Around 1,500 chemists from Panchkula, Mohali and Chandigarh will observe a 24-hour strike starting September 27 midnight to September 28 midnight, they said.

They expressed concern tech-savvy youths in the country could misuse the online pharmacies for purchasing drugs that are banned or buy medicines that require prescriptions.

"We are observing one day strike on Friday, September 28, to protest any move by the government allowing the sale of medicines through an internet or allowing e-pharmacies to operate in India in any form," AIOCD said in a statement.

If the government does not consider our appeal positively then AIOCD shall not have any option but to go for nation-wide indefinite agitation against online sale of medicines, AIOCD president J S Shinde said.

"We have made repeated appeals by memoranda to the government, concerned ministers, departments, state food and drug administration citing numerous cases of illegal online sale of medicines by so-called e-pharmacies, and portals. We will observe a one-day all India chemists bandh to highlight the seriousness of this issue," Jain said.

Drug prices are regulated and controlled by the government, he said adding that total trade margin was restricted to 16 per cent for retailers and 10 per cent for wholesalers.

It is observed that online players offer discounts up to 50 to 70 per cent openly, Jain said.