About 2,000 wholesale and retail medicine counters in Ganjam district would close down their shutters for a day from May 29 midnight to May 30 midnight, informed the Ganjam-Phulbani Chemist and Druggist Association (GPCDA).
GPCDA president Bishnu Prasad Panda said about 500 medicine shops in Brahmapur and 1,500 in other parts of Ganjam district would remain closed as the association has decided to join the strike call given by the All India Organisation of Chemists and Druggists (AIOCD) to protest the Union Government’s plan to introduce e-portals for sale of medicines.
Panda said medicines, if sold through e-portals, would create problems for patients only. “Retail counters explain about use of medicines to patients. This can’t be possible if medicines are sold through e-portals. Besides, the Government should focus of smooth distribution of drugs,” said Panda.
Similarly, medicine shops in Gajapati district would remain closed for the day. The Utkal Chemist and Druggist Association informed this at a Press conference here. He, however, stated that there would be no restriction in selling life saving medicines on the day.
Association president Debashish Padhi, general secretary G Somasekhar Rao and treasurer Jagdish Patnaik were present.