Chemists in Noida to join strike against e-pharmacy on Oct 14

Over 1,500 chemists in Noida, affiliated to the Gautam Buddh Nagar District Cosmetics Association (GBNDCA), will join the nationwide strike of pharmacists on October 14.

Over 1,500 chemists in the city affiliated to the Gautam Buddh Nagar District Cosmetics Association (GBNDCA) will join the nationwide strike of pharmacists on October 14.

The strike has been called by the All India Organisation of Chemists and Druggists (AIOCD) to protest against the Central government’s move to regularise sale of medicines on the internet through e-pharmacy. Pharmacists from NCR will assemble at Jantar Mantar in Delhi on October 14. (HT Photo/ For Representation)

The strike has been called by the All India Organisation of Chemists and Druggists (AIOCD) to protest against the Central government’s move to regularise sale of medicines on the internet through e-pharmacy.

Medicine shop owners and members of the GBNDCA will shut shops on October 14. However, medical stores in hospitals will remain open.

“Sale of medicines on the internet is a blatant violation of the rules and regulations made for pharmacists. If e-pharmacy is legalised, anybody can get medicine delivered at their house without a prescription, which is illegal,” said Anoop Khanna, president of GBNDCA.

He alleged that medical industry giants are trying to save on the profit margins by eliminating the distributors and retailers who take commission on the profit.

Khanna said that the medicine industry should not be commercialised and selling of medicine on the internet is not acceptable as it will not only affect the bread and butter of the medical shop owners but also pose a grave danger to the consumers.

The pharmacists from the national capital region (NCR) will assemble at Jantar Mantar in Delhi on October 14. They will be headed by the general secretary of AIOCD Suresh Gupta.

“We will hold a peaceful protest outside the Jantar Mantar while pharmacists in all states across the nation will demonstrate outside their respective assembly Houses,” added Goyal.