Over 15 Lakh Chemists Join Nationwide Strike Today, Check Your State’s Situation

New Delhi: On Wednesday, drug shopkeepers and chemist organisations across the country went on strike against the sale of medicines online. This bandh was called by All India Organization of Chemists and Druggists (AIOCD). The organisation says that due to the rapidly growing e-pharmacy companies, the business of small medical stores is being affected and thousands of shopkeepers are facing a livelihood crisis.

What are the main demands of the chemists?

Chemists allege that online platforms are selling medicines at huge discounts, due to which small shopkeepers are unable to compete. They say that many e-pharmacy companies do not follow the rules properly and medicines are being supplied without adequate monitoring. Due to this, questions are also being raised on the safety of patients.

Will medical stores remain closed in all states?

The organization demands that the government impose strict rules regarding online medicine sales and protect the interests of offline medical stores. Chemists say that if timely action is not taken in this matter, lakhs of small medical stores across the country may be affected. However, the effect of this strike was not seen the same in every state.

Medical stores also remained open in many states so that common people do not face any problem. Some pharmacy organisations said that it would not be right to completely stop essential services, so they distanced themselves from the strike. Despite this, shutters of medicine shops were seen closed in many cities.

What arrangements have been made for the patients?

The government and the health department have told people there is no need to panic. Medical stores of hospitals, Jan Aushadhi Kendras and some big pharmacy networks were kept open so that patients could continue to get essential medicines. Helpline numbers have also been issued at many places.

In which states can the impact be seen more?

More impact of this bandh can be seen in Karnataka, Madhya Pradesh, Odisha and some other states. According to reports, thousands of medical stores are going to remain closed in Karnataka. A large number of medicine shopkeepers have also joined the strike in Odisha and Madhya Pradesh.

At present, chemist organisations have made it clear that if their demands are not immediately addressed, the movement may become bigger in the future.