Keep essential medicines ready: Health Secretary to Hospitals

Bhubaneswar: With medicine stores across the state going on a 24-hours strike , Odisha government issued direction to authorities of medical college hospitals, state run hospitals and others to remain in readiness to meet the eventualities.

"We have issued direction to authorities of medical colleges and hospitals to keep essential medicines including live saving drugs in readiness to meet the demand," Health and Family Welfare secretary P K Meherda told reporters.

The medicine stores under the Utkal Chemists and Druggists Association have extended support to the strike called by All India Organisation of Chemists and Druggists.

The All India Organisation of Chemists and Druggists have called the strike to protest the online sale of medicines and e-portal by the Central government for medicines.

There are above 17,000 medicine stores in the state.