Medicine shops across Odisha to remain closed on Sept 28

Bhubaneswar: As a part of the nationwide strike by the All India Organisation of Chemists and Druggists (AIOCD) on September 28, medicine shops across Odisha will remain closed on the day.

Informing about the closure, Utkal Chemists and Druggists Association Secretary Prasanta Mohapatra said that around 4,000 medicine wholesale points and 22,000 retail outlets will be closed on September 28.

The AIOCD has decided to resort to the stir protesting against any move by the government allowing sale of medicines through internet or allowing e-pharmacies to operate in India in any form.

“The association will go for nationwide indefinite agitation against online sale of medicine if the government does not consider our appeal,” said AIOCD president JS Shinde.

The serious, among many concerns brought out by AIOCD were not only commercial business loss of its members, but online sale of medicines if allowed, it would be hazardous to the public health at large, more importantly the tech-savvy young generation of our country may have irreparable damage, AIOCD said in a statement.