40,000 chemist shops in Rajasthan were closed to protest Centre's move supporting nation-wide strike

Nearly 40,000 chemist and wholesale shops in Rajasthan were closed Friday as part of a nation-wide strike called by the All India Organisation of Chemists and Druggists, a leader of the Rajasthan Chemist Association (RCA) said.

The RCA has extended support to the nation-wide strike, association president RB Puri said.

He, however, claimed that although 40,000 chemist and wholesale shops in the state were closed, medicines were being supplied by "Upbhogkta Bhandars" in emergency conditions.

The shutdown would cause a loss of Rs 75 lakh to Rs 1 crore in the state, Puri added.

He said the bandh was called to oppose the government's decision to regularise online pharmacies and claimed that e-pharmacy poses threat to their businesses and could lead to drug abuse.