Indore: Over 3000 chemists of the district connected to Indore Chemist and Druggist Association will join the nationwide strike of pharmacists on Tuesday. The strike has been called by the All India Organisation of Chemists and Druggists (AIOCD) to protest against the sale of medicines on the internet through e-pharmacy.
Medicine shop owners in the city and at the state’s biggest medicine market, Dawa Bazaar will shut shops till 1 pm on Tuesday. However, medical stores in hospitals will remain open. “Sale of medicines on the internet is a violation of the rules and regulations made for pharmacists. Anybody can get medicine delivered at their house without a prescription, which is illegal,” said Vinay Bakliwal, president of Indore Druggist and Chemist Association.
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. Bakliwal said that sale for medicines should not be commercialized 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 prove dangerous to consumers. “We will hold a peaceful protest at Collectorate between 11 am to 1 pm while pharmacists in all districts of the state will demonstrate outside their respective centers,” Bakliwal added.
