20,000 Chemists to Observe a 24hr Bandh On Oct 14 Against Online Sale of Medicines

Protesting online sale of medicines in India, Over 20,000 chemists of Odisha have decided to observe 24 hours bandh on October 14. It would affect the livelihood of over 8lakh chemists across India."The center is keen to promote e-commerce of medicines. But the move directly violates the Drugs and Cosmetics Act-1940," said general secretary of Utkal Chemists and Druggists Association, Chaudhury Prabir Das.

The association said, as per the act one can purchase medicines only after showing doctor's prescription from the retail medicine store. "The act also mentioned that prescription should carry patient's name and address. But this will be violated through online sale," Das added.

Besides, there is restriction on purchasing of toxic drugs in India, which can only be provided to the patients through original prescription at the medicine stores. "Toxic drugs are prescribed by doctors for patients suffering from psychological disorders, cancer and those who are yet to have undergone surgery," he added. There are 68 types of molecule-based toxic drugs in India.

The association has written to chief minister Naveen Patnaik and health minister not to allowing online sale of medicines in the state. All retail and wholesale medicine dealers will close their stores from midnight of October 13 to midnight of October 14 2014.

Source-Medindia