Chemists declare strike against Centre's move to regularise e-pharmacies

A medical representative (C) with Abbott talks to a chemist at a market in Pune August 27, 2012. Picture taken August 27, 2012. To match Insight INDIA-PHARMA/KICKBACKS REUTERS/Danish Siddiqui (INDIA - Tags: HEALTH BUSINESS) - GM1E89H1GT901

The apex body of chemists has declared a day-long nationwide strike Friday to protest the Centre's move to regularise online pharmacies.

The All India Organisation of Chemists and Druggists (AIOCD) has opposed the government's decision, stating e-pharmacy poses threat to their business and could lead to the risk of drug abuse.

"Repeated appeals have been made by the AIOCD through memorandums to the authorities and the departments concerned. The seriousness of the issue is evident through numerous cases of illegal online sale of medicines by the so called e-pharmacies and online portals.

"The AIOCD has already observed two bharat bandhs earlier. If the appeal does not get a positive response from the government, we will not have any other option than to call for a nationwide indefinite agitation. Chemist shops across the country will remain closed on September 28," said Sandeep Nangia, the organising secretary of the AIOCD and the president of the Retail Distributors Chemists Association (RDCA).

While the drug prices have been regulated by the government, online portals offer discounts up to 70 per cent against a 10 per cent discount available at wholesalers.

The AIOCD members alleged e-pharmacies would encourage irrational usage of medicines and sale of spurious drugs.

"The government should crack down any online sale of medicines as it raises the risk of drug abuse. At present, online pharmacy business is going illegally and the government is not taking any action against it, hence, we have no alternative than to go on a strike to protect health of general public," said General Secretary of the AIOCD Rajiv Singhal.

In support of the nationwide strike called by the AIOCD to protest online sale of drugs, more than 12,000 chemists and wholesalers in the city will keep their shops closed on October 14 and participate in a protest at Jantar Mantar here.

"Despite the complaints made by the AIOCD, online pharmacies are supplying the goods like MTP kits and anti-depression drugs among others without confirming the authenticity of the prescription and patient," said Vice President of the AIOCD Surender Duggal.

The Union Health Ministry has come out with draft rules on sale of drugs by e-pharmacies with an aim to regulate online sale of medicines across India and provide patients accessibility to genuine drugs from authentic online portals.

The draft rules require online pharmacies to be registered with the Central Drugs Standard Control Organization (CDSCO), the country's apex drug regulator and central licensing authority and obtain a trade licence.

The supply of any drug shall be made against a cash or credit memo generated through the e-pharmacy portal and such memos shall be maintained by the e-pharmacy registration holder as record, the draft notification said.