May 20 Chemist Strike Loses State Support As CDSCO Reviews E-Pharmacy Concerns
New Delhi: The Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation (CDSCO) is reviewing concerns raised by retail chemists over the operation of e-pharmacies, even as several state-level pharmacy associations have distanced themselves from the proposed nationwide strike called by the All India Organisation of Chemists and Druggists (AIOCD) on May 20, official sources said on Monday.
Representatives of the AIOCD recently met the national drug regulator and expressed concerns over the functioning and regulation of e-pharmacies.
The regulator assured them that their issues are under active review and that the regulatory framework governing the sector is being examined to address legitimate concerns of retail pharmacy stakeholders, sources said.
They further said several retail pharmacy associations across the country have decided not to participate in the proposed one-day strike, citing public interest and the need to ensure uninterrupted availability of medicines.
The strike call was given by the AIOCD over concerns about the growing business of e-pharmacies.
"Any disruption in the functioning of chemist shops has the potential to cause serious inconvenience to patients, particularly vulnerable groups dependent on regular access to life-saving and essential medicines, besides impacting critical medical supply chains," a source said.
Recognising this, several retail pharmacy associations reviewed the situation and expressed satisfaction over the regulator's constructive response, the sources said.
In view of the ongoing review process and the need to safeguard patient welfare, these associations have categorically declined to support the proposed strike, they added.
Retail Pharmacy Associations from West Bengal, Kerala, Punjab, Maharashtra, Karnataka, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, Ladakh, Gujarat, Chhattisgarh, Sikkim, and Uttarakhand have voluntarily submitted written assurances that they will not participate in the strike and have committed to ensuring there will be no disruption in the availability of medicines to the public on the proposed day of protest.
A CDSCO official reiterated that public health and patient access to medicines remain paramount and that constructive dialogue remains the preferred mechanism for addressing sectoral concerns while ensuring uninterrupted healthcare services across the country.
