Pharmacists and chemists stage a protest in support of the nationwide bandh call by the All India Organisation of Chemists and Druggists near Jagadamba Circle in Visakhapatnam on Wednesday.
| Photo Credit: V RAJU
Medical shops across Visakhapatnam district remained shut on Wednesday as chemists and druggists observed the nationwide one-day bandh call given by the All India Organisation of Chemists and Druggists (AIOCD), seeking stricter regulation of e-pharmacies and withdrawal of certain emergency provisions introduced during the COVID-19 pandemic.Members of the Visakhapatnam District Drug Trade Association and Smart Visakha Chemists Welfare Society took out a rally from Jagadamba Junction to the Collectorate in support of the bandh. Protesters carried placards and raised slogans against the online sale of medicines and irregularities in digital prescriptions.Visakhapatnam District Drug Trade Association president V. Seetharamaiah said that online retailers and pharmaceutical companies were attracting consumers with “unreasonable discounts”, adversely affecting neighbourhood medical stores. He said 'fake’ medicines and restricted drugs were being sold through online platforms.“MTP (Medical Termination of Pregnancy) kits, NRx drugs and antibiotics are being supplied without proper checks using AI-generated prescriptions,” he added.The association also demanded the withdrawal of GSR 220(E), issued by the Central Government during the COVID-19 pandemic for emergency supply of medicines. Mr. Seetharamaiah said several online retailers were exploiting the provision.
