Team Herald
PANJIM: Opposing the concept of online pharmacies, the Chemists and Druggists Association, Goa has decided to join their parent body, the All India Organisation of Chemists and Druggists (AIOCD) in shutting pharmacies on October 14.
Speaking to Herald, president of the Goa association Prasad Tamba said, “The issue of selling of medication online was taken up at the AIOCD executive committee meeting and it was decided that association members all over the country will keep their establishments shut for a full day on October 14 to show that we are not in favour of the online pharmacy.”
All over India, 7.5 lakh pharmacies will down their shutters. In Goa, 750 retailers and 200 wholesale distributors will be a part of this strike.
“Online pharmacies just cannot work. They are first of all against the law and any sale of medication requires the presence of a hard copy of the prescription and a registered pharmacist to give the medication,” said Tamba.
The association has also asked for an investigation and ultimate stop of any online sale currently undertaken by companies. The association said that the employment of several crores of people associated with pharmacies will be affected and that was another reason to scrap the idea.
While member pharmacies will be shut in the State, sale of drugs in government pharmacies and those not members of the association may remain open. “All members of the association will definitely be a part of this protest,” said Tamba.
Currently governed under the Drugs and Cosmetics Act 1940, there exists no conditions for sale of medication over the internet but the government is considering an amendment to the law to allow it.
