All private chemist shops in the State remained closed on Friday in response to the nationwide shut down call given by All India Organisation of Chemists and Druggists (AIOCD) to protest against the ‘unjust’ policies of the Government which were detrimental to the interest of drug dealers. The Association members also threatened to intensify their agitation in the near future, if their demands were not met by the Union Government in the coming days.
The chemist shops owners protested under the banner of District Chemists Association and shouted anti government slogans. The Association main demands are not to reduce the trade margins on medicines in the forthcoming Drugs (Price Control) Order 2013, to resolve the long pending issue of shortage of pharmacists and not allowing Foreign Direct Investments in distribution and retailing of medicines as there were over 25 lakh employees were dependent on drug distribution for a livelihood. Meanwhile, those suffering from serious ailments faced the hardship as private chemist shops at private nursing homes were also reported to be closed. Sandeep Malhotra, president, demanded from the state government to amend the drug policy. SK Gupta, Naveen Khurana, Dev Prakash, Arvind Tayal, Vipul Mittal and many more were present.