Nearly 72,000 neighbourhood chemists from all over Maharashtra plan to shut shop on Friday to protest against draft rules issued by the Centre on the functioning of online pharmacies. However, the state Food and Drugs Administration (FDA) has served notice under the Drugs and Cosmetics Act, 1940 asking them to keep shops open in the larger interest of public health and patients. The FDA has warned that onus will be squarely on licensed chemists if inconvenience is caused to patients.
Chemists under the aegis of Maharashtra State Chemists and Druggists Association (MSCDA) are supporting a day-long bandh organised by the All India Chemists Association. MSCDA president Jagannath Shinde told DNA, "The MSCDA had given notice 21 days ago to state FDA for tomorrow's bandh. However, till date no hearing took place. The participation in bandh is not to cause inconvenience the people but to protest against the draft rules issued by the Centre to give permission to online pharmacies to register and start selling medicines. Patients should not be worried as emergency medicines will be made available by offline pharmacies on Friday."
State FDA minister Girish Bapat has appealed to the offline chemists to remain open on Friday. "The government will convey concerns raised by offline pharmacies on the functioning of online pharmacies. Medicine is essential commodity and in the event of its non-availability it may harm the health of patients," Bapat said.
Shinde argued that the government needs to provide a level playing field to offline chemists to compete with online pharmacies, who offer deep discounts up to 60 per cent. Ironically, offline chemists under the stipulated norms have been curbed from offering such discounts.
Further, Shinde said there is a possibility of dispatching wrong kind of medicines by online pharmacist.
"In such a scenario what is the guarantee that the patient will get the right medicines in proper conditions. The government needs to address these key issues," he said.
The Maharashtra Registered Pharmacists Association President Kailash Tandale said they have serious concerns over the operating model of online pharmacies. They adversely impact the functioning of over 8.5 lakh retail pharmacists from across the country. "The Association supports tomorrow's strike but will pay attention on the supply of emergency medicines to patients," he said.
BITTER PILL
- 72,000 medical stores in Maharashtra plan to remain shut on Friday
- FDA has served notice under the Drugs and Cosmetics Act, 1940 asking medical stores to remain open in public interest
