Chemists association to observe bandh on September 28

Hyderabad: Telangana Chemists and Druggists Association will observe a day’s bandh on September 28. This was informed through a press note here on Friday. The decision was taken in response to All India Organization of Chemists & Druggists (AIOCD) call for bandh in protest against the government policy to allow selling of drugs through e-portals and online pharmacy. The government’s decision can have many unintended consequences, the press note said. This will not only lead to loss of business to lakhs of retail sellers but may also be hazardous to public health, it contended.

It will be very difficult to regulate the online portals when they violate the medicine acts. They also fear that capitalists may control the prices of drugs and may lead to monopoly. The retailers and wholesalers will be hugely impacted due to the decision as they work on small margins. With E-portals already offering more than 50 per cent discounts, retailers may find it extremely difficult to survive, the press note said. The press not said that around 8 lakh retail sellers will be in peril and one crore members will lose their means of livelihood. The association appealed to the government to consider their demands and reconsider their decision to allow online sale of drugs.