Chemists, druggists close shops in Shivamogga, stage protest

Many medical shops in Shivamogga remained closed on Wednesday in response to a nationwide strike called by the All India Organisation of Chemists and Druggists, opposing the online sale of medicines and the threat posed by steep corporate discounting practices.

Members of the Shivamogga District Chemists and Druggists Association shut their establishments for 24 hours as part of the protest. Shops attached to hospitals and clinics, however, remained open.

Association representatives gathered in front of the Deputy Commissioner’s office and staged a dharna, raising slogans against the online sale of medicines. They also demanded action to curb predatory discounting by corporate pharmacy chains and stricter measures to prevent the circulation of spurious and substandard medicines.

Association president Madhukar S.P. said the online sale of medicines had been permitted during the COVID-19 pandemic through a temporary notification, but the order had never been withdrawn. This, he said, had allowed the provision to be misused for the distribution of spurious drugs and scheduled medicines without a prescription.

Office-bearers of the association and owners of the medical shop participated in the dharna.