PANJIM: The All India Organisation of Chemists & Druggists has announced day-long shut down of pharmacies on September 28 to protest the online sale of medicines and e-pharmacies. The organisation has also expressed disappointment over the Centre’s nod to ‘legalise online sale of medicines as well as e-pharmacies’.
“The issue brought out by the association is not only commercial business loss of its members but online sale of medicines if allowed, would be hazardous to the public health at large, more importantly to the tech savvy young generation of our country that may have irreparable damage. We are forced to agitate against the inactiveness of government and state level authorities,” association president J S Shinde said.
The day-long bandh, association’s general secretary Rajiv Singhal said will, however, ensure that those in need of medicines will not face any inconvenience. He stated that chemists & druggists will sell medicines in case of emergency and all the government pharmacies as well as pharmacies attached to hospitals and primary health centres will be kept open.
Terming the process as illegal and unsafe, Shinde alleged that online players violate the provisions of the drug act with no visible action taken by the authorities. “Online players are operating without any responsibility under the Act and are passing on the orders without verifying the authenticity of the prescription,” the association said in a notice served to the authorities concerned.
