Supporting the call of a one-day nationwide token closure of chemists’ shops by the All-India Organisation of Chemists and Druggists (AIOCD), the Utkal Chemists’ and Druggists’ Association (UCDA) on Friday staged a demonstration in front of the Raj Bhavan by closing their shops in the city.
The druggists have been protesting the new drug policy of the Central Government, which reduced their trade margin on medicines, besides demanding amendment in the law regarding spurious drugs.
“We are demanding abolition of Drugs Act-2008 (Amendment), amendment in the new Drug Policy-2013 and elimination of FDI in retail pharmacy. We have intimated the Government about this on many occasions but in vain,” said All-India Organisation of Chemists and Druggists (AIOCD) committee member Prasant Kumar Mohapatra.
Nearly 17,000 druggist and chemist shops in the State were closed in support of the call given by their central body. However, all shops in the Government hospitals remained opened to ensure that those in urgent need of medication did not suffer.
Similarly, the association also staged demonstrations at each district headquarters town to support the nationwide strike.