Nationwide chemists' strike evokes lukewarm response; AIOCD claims overwhelming support

A one-day strike by chemists and druggists against online pharmacies' deep discounting and unregulated practice received a lukewarm response, despite claims of overwhelming support from its members.

The one-day strike called by the All India Organisation of Chemists and Druggists against unregulated practice and deep discounting by online players evoked a lukewarm response, even as the body claimed overwhelming support from its members across the country.

All India Organisation of Chemists and Druggists (AIOCD) claims to represent 12.4 lakh chemists, pharmacists, and distributors, and is demanding action against what it termed as ''illegal'' operations of online pharmacies.

''The nationwide strike remained completely peaceful and received overwhelming support from chemists and druggists across India,'' AIOCD said in a statement.

Essential and emergency medicines were also made available to needy patients as part of the association's humanitarian responsibility, it added.

Various state chemists and druggists associations, chemists and druggists across all districts in the country kept their establishments closed and extended unanimous support to the movement, the statement said.

However, in the National Capital Region, outlets of some organised pharmacy chains were operating.

''We are not a part of the strike,'' said one sales executive when asked about the nationwide strike call given by AIOCD.

Another independent chemist also said his shop remained open during the day and business went on as usual.

AIOCD said it called the one-day nationwide strike ''against illegal and uncontrolled online sale of medicines, sale of medicines without valid prescriptions, and predatory deep discounting practices by online medicine platforms''.

AIOCD President J S Shinde and General Secretary Rajiv Singhal said during the strike, a memorandum addressed to Prime Minister Narendra Modi was submitted through Divisional Commissioners, District Collectors, SDMs and Tehsildars across the country.

The memorandum highlighted major concerns of chemists and druggists, including illegal and unregulated online sale of medicines; sale and home delivery of medicines without valid and verified prescriptions; deep discounting by online platforms that has adversely affected lakhs of small and licensed chemists.

It also demanded ''immediate withdrawal of GSR 817(E) and GSR 220(E)'' notifications, alleging that these provisions are being ''misused by online platforms and quick commerce operators for uncontrolled online sale of medicine''.

Earlier in the day, AIOCD General Secretary Rajiv Singhal told PTI, ''All medical shops are closed... we are getting feedback from all our state branches that everybody is participating in this strike. We have not given stress to the nursing home pharmacies, which are working inside the hospitals.''.

Singhal reiterated that AIOCD is protesting against the GSR 817 and GSR 220 notifications, as these are effectively regularising online pharmacies.

These have led to the sale of medicines without proper physical verification of prescriptions, while online pharmacies backed by corporates with deep pockets are indulging in deep discounting, thereby hurting traditional chemists, he noted.

Singhal said AIOCD will consider its future course of action after the one-day nationwide strike to protect the interests of its members and stakeholders.