More than 18,000 medicine shops in Odisha participated in the nation-wide 24-hour strike of chemists protesting the online sale of medicines on Wednesday.
The medicine stores remained closed till midnight. The strike in the State was spearheaded by the Utkal Chemists’ and Druggists’ Association (UCDA).
“We submitted a memorandum at all levels from district collector to the Governor (about our stand),” said UCDA preesident Prasanta Mohapatra.
He said online sale of medicines would lead to unabated misuse of drugs and the Government should not allow this to happen.
Amid worries that the strike might lead to medicine shortage, Health Minister Atanu Sabyasachi Nayak said the strike was not acceptable.
“There should be some justice in a protest; medicines cannot be equated with atta, dal or rice. They can protest without going on strike and keeping a positive attitude towards people,” said Nayak.
The chemists also warned of an indefinite strike if the Government failed to address the issue within a week.
“Internet pharmacy is a new platform for sale of medicines for the last one year. It is completely illegal, and we have even apprised higher authorities that such sale of medicines is a violation of the Drugs and Cosmetics Act, 1940, which requires proper prescriptions by doctors,” All India Organisation of Chemists and Druggists (AIOCD) president JS Sinde said.