Chemists call it a nationwide strike on October 14

Even as the government is beginning to monitor the online pharmacies business closely, another hurdle comes across its way. This time over 7 lakh members of the chemists and druggist community, collaborated under one Apex body AIOCD, have joined hands to protest against the growing e-commerce sector affecting their livelihood.

The whole community under the chairmanship of AIOCD is reported to have called for a nationwide strike on October 14 to protest against online pharmacy.

The reasons cited for this move may seem plausible at the moment considering the point of view of these spread chemists, and also the grey areas in regularizing the online pharmacy eco-system. Specially in consideration is the allegation that online pharmacies are supplying all the goods like I-pill, MTP kits, anti-depression, codeine cough syrups without confirming the authenticity of prescription and patients.

Also read:Pharmacists to gather to oppose online pharmacies

"We have decided to go for nationwide chemists strike on October 14 to protect health of general public as well as interest of our members," All India Organization of Chemists & Druggists (AIOCD) president J S Shinde said in a statement here.

Online pharmacies in India have significantly increased due to growing e-commerce in the country. An online pharmacy is an Internet-based vendor of prescription drugs and has been increasing with the rise attributed to little regulation of the industry.

"We strongly oppose the move of the government to regularise sale of medicines through internet i.e. E-Pharmacy in the larger public interest. It is illegal to sell medicines on internet under the Drugs and Cosmetics Act, 1940," Shinde said.

"We should thoroughly study the risk and threats observed by the advanced countries who have allowed internet pharmacy, (despite) having necessary infrastructure and manpower", he said.

The introduction of e-pharmacy, to protect the interest of a handful of players, would hamper the interest of eight lakh chemists and 80 lakh workers and their families, Shinde said.

Presently, online pharmacy business is going on illegally and authorities are not taking any action against them on the complaints made by us, he said.

The Maharashtra Food and Drugs Administration (FDA) had recently raided 27 online pharmacies located in Mumbai, Thane and Pune and seized drugs worth crores of rupees.