Chemist shops to remain shut down for a day

Over 8.5 lakh chemist shops that are members of the All India Organisation of Chemists and Druggists (AIOCD) from across the country will remain shut on Tuesday, May 30, to protest against the government's plan of introducing e-portal for the sale of medicines.

The decision to shut down shops was made after the Central Health and Family Welfare Ministry (Drugs Control) announced that the chemists will have to upload details of their sales on an e-portal within a stipulated period.

While the members of Maharashtra State Chemist and Druggists Association, Mumbai, will also keep their shops shut, the members of Maharashtra Registered Pharmacists Association and Green Cross Foundation For Pharmacist will keep their shops open.

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA), Maharashtra has ordered the private as well as government hospitals and doctors to keep extra medicines stock with them.

Harshadeep Kamble, Commissioner, FDA Maharashtra, said, "We don't want any citizens or patients to suffer because of the strike. We have ordered the government hospital to keep their medical centers and OPD department open as per the timings. In case of emergency, we have set up a special complain cell in the head office as well as other branch offices."

AIOCD has called the move impractical stating that the move will violate the confidentiality of the traders and cause them heavy losses.

All over Maharashtra over 25,000 private medical shops will be open for the citizens and across the country close to 60 per cent of the shops will remain open.

Kailash Andhale, President of Maharashtra Registered Pharmacists Association, said, "We are opposing the strike announced. According to us, due to the e-portal there will be more transparency in the supply chain. We spoke to the FDA Commissioner two days back about the issue."

According to the retail pharmacists, AIOCD has been trying to convince retail pharmacists to shut the shops.

"We are in favour of patients and this move will create unnecessary harassment to the patients. The government has asked the opinion about the e-portal. Instead of strike, they should have given suggestions and opinion regarding how the portal is feasible. Around 40 per cent -50 per cent of the shop will remain open all over India. While the 24-HOURS medical shops will remain open, the shops near big hospitals in the city will also remain open," added Andhale.

• Toll free number to complain set by FDA - 1800222365. Consumers can get details of shops that are open on this number
   
• All over Maharashtra over 25,000 private medical shops will remain open.
   
• 24-HOURS medical shops will remain open.
   
• Medical shops near private and government hospitals will remain open.