Chemists keeps shops shut in parts of Punjab over e-pharmacy concerns

Chemists in parts of Punjab kept their shops closed on Wednesday as part of a nationwide strike call by the All India Organisation of Chemists and Druggists against alleged unregulated practice and deep discounting by e-pharmacists.

Chemist shops remained shut in several areas, including Fatehgarh Sahib, Amritsar, Moga, and Hoshiarpur, to protest alleged irregularities in the online sector and policies affecting small traders.

Around 1,300 chemists in the Hoshiarpur district observed the strike from midnight, leading to a complete shutdown of retail as well as wholesale medicine markets, District Chemists Association president and Punjab Chemists Association (PCA) spokesperson Raman Kapoor said.

Kapoor said the strike received support from the Indian Medical Association, Punjab unit, and the All India Federation of Medical Representatives Associations.

He alleged that under the garb of online trade, there were concerns about the sale of spurious and habit-forming drugs, and accused the e-pharmacy companies of operating in an ''illegal and unregulated'' manner.

''As per norms, medicines should be dispensed only against a valid prescription and in the presence of a pharmacist or a registered medical practitioner. However, online platforms are delivering medicines directly to consumers through courier services, which is a matter of concern,'' Kapoor said.

He added that heavy discounts offered by large e-pharmacists were adversely impacting the livelihood of small chemists and leading to an outflow of money from the country.

Kapoor said a memorandum highlighting their concerns would be submitted to the deputy commissioner, addressed to Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

He also claimed that the strike saw near-total participation across the district.

(This story has not been edited by Devdiscourse staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)