Chemists to remain open on August 1

Despite a call by the All-India Chemists’ Association (AICA), asking chemists to down their shutters in Delhi, Haryana and other states on August 1, drugstores in Gurgaon will remain open.

Despite a call by the All-India Chemists’ Association (AICA), asking chemists to down their shutters in Delhi, Haryana and other states on August 1, drugstores in Gurgaon will remain open.

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The association is protesting against the health ministry’s proposal to introduce strict norms on sale of Schedule H drugs — medicines sold on prescription.

The District Gurgaon Chemists and Druggist Association confirmed that all 1,118 drugstores will remain open. President of the Gurgaon association GS Pasricha said Schedule HX is still not an Act, and they are seeking clarification on the issue.

Pasricha is also president of All-India Organisation of Chemists and Druggist Association.

“It is too early for us to go on strike since there is no clarity on the issue in the first place. Our parent associations have decided not to pay heed to the shutdown call given by AICA. All 1,118 drugstores in Gurgaon will remain open on Monday,” said Pasricha.

Sharad Mehrotra, general secretary of the Gurgaon association said, “There is no need for a strike, which will cause a national loss. Such a move will result in black marketing of drugs.”

The AICA plans to stage a protest at Jantar Mantar on August 1. According to Pasricha, the proposal of the health ministry includes asking doctors to issue three copies of the prescription concerned, sale of a particular category of drugs only by hospitals and chemists having to maintain records for five to seven years.