Kolkata, 20 May (H.S.) : The nationwide strike called by chemists and druggists received a mixed response in West Bengal on Wednesday, with its impact largely confined to traders affiliated with the Bengal Chemists and Druggists Association.
According to trade estimates, out of nearly 32,000 to 35,000 units associated with the organisation in the state, around 28,000 to 31,000 are retail medicine shops, while the remaining comprise wholesalers, distributors, and carrying and forwarding agents. Office-bearers of the association claimed that all affiliated units participated in the shutdown.
However, government-backed affordable medicine outlets, including Pradhan Mantri Bhartiya Janaushadhi Kendras and Amrit Pharmacies, continued to function normally.
Medical stores operating inside private hospitals, nursing homes, and government healthcare institutions also remained open, providing relief to patients and their families.
The nationwide strike was called by the All India Organisation of Chemists and Druggists, which claims to represent nearly 1.24 million medicine sellers across the country.
The organisation has alleged that e-pharmacy platforms and quick-delivery medicine applications are adversely affecting traditional medicine shops through deep discounts and aggressive pricing strategies.
The traders’ body also raised concerns over the lack of adequate verification mechanisms in online medicine sales. It claimed that fake prescriptions could potentially be used to procure narcotic and habit-forming drugs.
The All India Organisation of Chemists and Druggists has urged the Union Health Ministry to withdraw certain digital relaxations granted to online pharmacy operators.
According to government sources, the national drug regulator recently held discussions with representatives of chemists’ associations and assured them that the regulatory framework governing the e-pharmacy sector is under review to ensure a balance between digital expansion and fair competition.
Hindusthan Samachar / Satya Prakash Singh
