Chemists’ strike hits patients
Around 200 chemists and medicine wholesalers remained closed in Mohali.
Nearly 1,100 chemists and medicine wholesalers in the Tricity remained shut. (Source: Express photo by Sahil Walia)
Residents in the Tricity — especially patients — were inconvenienced as chemists remained closed on Wednesday. Chemist stores in hospitals and government pharmacies — that were functional — witnessed a rush as they were the only option for patients.
The move was in protest against the Centre’s proposal to regularise the sale of medicines online. The strike call was given by the All India Organisation of Chemists and Druggists (AIOCD). Nearly 1,100 chemists and medicine wholesalers in the Tricity remained shut.
On Wednesday morning, around two dozen chemists began a protest rally from Sector 15 market in Chandigarh. The Centre’s proposal, if implemented, would not be beneficial to anyone, the protestors said.
The day-long strike caused inconvenience to the public, who had to travel long distances to purchase medicines.
Anil Kumar, a resident of Rajpura whose relative was admitted at PGI, was struggling to find medicines required for a minor surgery at the hospital. “I waited for half an hour in a queue at the PGI Chemist shop but I was informed that the medicine was not available,” he said.
Rajiv Shukla, a resident of Sector 28, said that he had to travel a long distance to get insulin for his ailing mother. “We forgot to buy insulin on Tuesday and since morning I was trying to find it,” he said. Shukla managed to get insulin at Government Multi Specialty Hospital, Sector 16.
Chemists at government hospitals said there was a rush of patients. Ashwani of the medical and surgical store at the GMSH Sector 16 told Chandigarh Newsline that the store received patients from several areas on Wednesday. “People came not only from the city, but also from Kharar, Mohali and other areas,” he said.
President of the Chandigarh Chemists association Vijay Anand said, “Allowing sale of medicines online would not only paralyse the present distribution chain of nearly eight lakh medicine dealers supplying drugs to a population of around 125 crore but will also prove dangerous to the health of the public,” said Anand. “The government should in fact crack down any kind of online sale of medicines as it raises the risk of misuse of drugs,” he said.
At present, as per the Drugs and Cosmetics Act, only registered pharmacists are permitted to sell drugs on production of a valid prescription. But the chemists say that government is considering bringing in changes in the Act – which would pave way for online sale of drugs.
Around 200 chemists and medicine wholesalers remained closed in Mohali. “There was a total shutdown by chemists in Mohali,” said Manmohan Singh Sagu, who is associated with Mohali District Chemist Association. “We are taking help of social media so the we can educate all the chemists about the proposal.”
Over 300 chemist shops remained closed in Panchkula. “We are in support of the protest, because it is unjust for the government to promote e-pharmacies at the cost of the general health of the people. Primarily, it is against the Drugs and Cosmetics Act and Information Technology Act, and secondly it will affect the direct interface of patients with chemists while the medicines are being given,” said B B Singhal, president, District Chemist Association, and key member of district unit of BJP.
President of the Indian Internet Pharmacy Association (IIPA) Prashant Tandon, meanwhile, said IIPA would ensure that online pharmacies operate in the interests of the public, to deter ‘fly-by-night operators’ and compliance to the rules and regulations.
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