Chemists observe bandh against e-pharmacies in Visakhapatnam

Medical shops across Visakhapatnam district remained shut on Wednesday as chemists and druggists observed the nationwide one-day bandh call given by the All India Organisation of Chemists and Druggists (AIOCD), seeking stricter regulation of e-pharmacies and withdrawal of certain emergency provisions introduced during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Members of the Visakhapatnam District Drug Trade Association and Smart Visakha Chemists Welfare Society took out a rally from Jagadamba Junction to the Collectorate in support of the bandh. Protesters carried placards and raised slogans against the online sale of medicines and irregularities in digital prescriptions.

Visakhapatnam District Drug Trade Association president V. Seetharamaiah said that online retailers and pharmaceutical companies were attracting consumers with “unreasonable discounts”, adversely affecting neighbourhood medical stores. He said 'fake’ medicines and restricted drugs were being sold through online platforms.

“MTP (Medical Termination of Pregnancy) kits, NRx drugs and antibiotics are being supplied without proper checks using AI-generated prescriptions,” he added.

The association also demanded the withdrawal of GSR 220(E), issued by the Central Government during the COVID-19 pandemic for emergency supply of medicines. Mr. Seetharamaiah said several online retailers were exploiting the provision.

According to the association, more than 1,500 medical shops in the district extended support to the bandh. However, generic medicine outlets such as Pradhan Mantri Bhartiya Janaushadhi Kendras and Jeevandhara/Sanjeevini medical shops remained open. Medical shops located in hospitals, nursing homes and daycare centres also continued operations to ensure availability of medicines for patients.

Mr. Seetharamaiah said that the chemist trade associations in Gopalapatnam, Gajuwaka, Tagarapuvalasa, Madhurawada and Pendurthi also participated in the protest rallies and observed the bandh .

“We followed the guidelines issued by the District Collector and the Drugs Control Administration and ensured there was no inconvenience to the public by keeping necessary medical shops open,” he said.

Meanwhile, the Drugs Control Administration (DCA), Visakhapatnam, stated that precautionary measures were taken to avoid inconvenience to the public.

“We ensured that at least one medical shop remained open in each cluster across the district to provide uninterrupted access to medicines. Contact numbers of Drugs Inspectors were also provided for the public to reach out in case of any emergency,” said K. Rajitha, Assistant Director (FAC), Drugs Control Administration.