New Delhi, May 20 (H.S.): The one-day nationwide strike called by the All India Organisation of Chemists and Druggists (AIOCD) against online pharmacies and heavy discounting witnessed a mixed response across the country on Wednesday.

The AIOCD has been demanding strict action against online medicine companies and e-pharmacies. The organisation claims to represent nearly 1.24 million chemists, pharmacists and drug distributors across India.

However, in several parts of the National Capital Region (Delhi-NCR), outlets belonging to organised pharmacy chains remained operational despite the strike call. When asked about the nationwide protest by chemists, pharmacists and drug distributors, a sales executive at one such outlet stated that their company was not participating in the strike.

AIOCD General Secretary Rajiv Singhal claimed that medicine shops across the country had remained closed in support of the agitation. He said the organisation had received reports from its state units confirming widespread participation in the strike.

Singhal clarified that the AIOCD had not exerted any pressure on “nursing home pharmacies” operating within hospitals to shut down during the protest.

Reiterating the organisation’s concerns, he stated that the AIOCD is protesting against the GSR 817 and GSR 220 notifications, alleging that these regulations effectively legitimise online medicine sellers. According to him, the current system allows medicines to be sold without adequate physical verification.

He further alleged that corporate-backed online pharmacy companies are offering steep discounts, adversely affecting the livelihoods of traditional chemists and retailers.

Singhal added that after the completion of the one-day nationwide strike, the AIOCD would deliberate on its future course of action to safeguard the interests of its members.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar