Medicine stores would remain closed for 24 hours from Monday midnight as many chemists’ and druggists’ associations of the State have decided to join the strike called by the All India Organisation of Chemists and Druggists (AIOCD) against the Union Government’s plan for drugs sale through e-portals.
The Utkal Chemists’ and Druggists’ Association (UCDA) announced that it would join the strike. However, chemists in Cuttack have opted out of the strike. Odisha has over 17,000 medicine stores and it is apprehended that public health services would be hit if they stop selling medicines for 24 hours. Around 2,000 medicine stores in Cuttack would remain opened.
Meanwhile, the State Government said it has asked all Government hospitals to ensure that patients continue to get medicines. “We have directed the hospital authorities to be ready with a stock of medicines under Niramaya scheme,” said Health Secretary Pramod Meherda.