Bhubaneswar: The Utkal Chemists and Druggists Association has decided to keep medicines stores across Odisha closed on September 28 following the nationwide strike which has been called by the All India Organisation of Chemists and Druggists (AIOCD).
Around 4,000 medicine wholesale points along with 22,000 retail outlets in Odisha will remain off business for 24-hours on September 28, informed Utkal Chemists and Druggists Association Secretary Prasanta Mohapatra to media.
The national body of the drug traders in the country is staging the bandh to protest the Central Government’s proposed E-pharmacy policy. It is accusing the government of trying to bring the new policy without proper consultations, checks and balances.
The AIOCD is vehemently opposing the selling of medicines online by E-phramcies by fearing that the move will affect the business of medicine retailers adversely. It also believes that, the online selling of drugs would bear serious health implications on consumers.
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