As many as 22,000 members of the Utkal Chemists’ and Druggists’ Association (UCDA) Odisha would shut down their medicine stores for 24 hours from September 27 midnight to September 28 midnight in protest against online sale of medicine through e-pharmacies.
On Wednesday, the UCDA announced its support to the all-India Bandh called by the All India Organisation of Chemists’ and Druggists’ (AIOCD).
“Online sale of drugs would cause heavy loss for our members and it would be hazardous to the public health at large. Particularly, the tech-savvy young generation will suffer irreparable damage,” pointed out UCDA president P Satyanarayana.
He said though the Central Government and the State Food and Drug Administration were informed about numerous cases of illegal online sale of medicines by e-pharmacies, they have still remained silent. Online players are rampantly violating provisions of Drugs and Cosmetic Act, he added.
He highlighted that the online companies are openly advertising in print and electronic media violating provisions of Section 18(C) of the Drugs and Cosmetic Act which prohibits sale or distribution or stock or exhibit or offer for sale any drug without a valid license.
He mentioned that total trade margin is restricted to 16 per cent to retailers and 10 per cent to wholesalers but the online players offer discount up to 50 to 70 per cent openly. It is nothing but cut throat unethical competition to drive out brick and mortar chemists shop, he added.
He said that about 10 lakh members of AIOCD and UCDA and 1 crore dependent families, staff and ancillary service providers are worried of their future for online sale of medicines.
He, however, said that few stores near medicals would be opened to ensure that no causally occurs due to lack of medicines.
Among others, UCDA general secretary Banoj Jena and PRO Pragati Mohanty, Hrushikesh Mishra, Gyana Ranjan Mohanty, and Girija Prasad Ratha were present.