Hyderabad, May 20 (IANS). Over 25,000 medical shops remained closed across Telangana on Wednesday due to the one-day nationwide strike called by the All India Organization of Chemists and Druggists (AIOCD).
In Hyderabad alone, more than 12,000 medical shops remained closed demanding a ban on online sale of medicines, stoppage of heavy discounts given by corporate companies and protection from counterfeit medicines.
Medical shops attached to hospitals have been exempted from the strike.
Telangana Drugs Control Administration (DCA) has appealed to the people not to panic due to the chemists’ strike. Besides, assurance of availability of essential and life-saving medicines has also been given in the entire state.
State Health Minister Damodar Rajanarasimha has directed officials to take all necessary steps so that people in need of life-saving medicines do not face any problem.
The Drugs Control Administration has issued a public advisory to ensure patient safety and continued availability of essential medicines.
DCA Director General Avinash Mohanty said in a statement that in a meeting held with the Telangana chapter of AIOCD, it was decided that pharmacy shops attached to hospitals will be kept open for providing medicines to avoid inconvenience to the public.
The district branches of AIOCD will be in constant touch with drug inspectors to make medicines available from local shops in case of emergency. Apart from this, corporate medical stores have also been advised to keep their shops open.
He said that in case of any problem related to the availability of essential or emergency medicines on May 20, people can immediately contact their local Drugs Inspector or Assistant Director of Drugs Control Administration, so that they can get necessary assistance.
The Drugs Control Administration is closely monitoring the situation across the state to ensure availability of essential and life-saving medicines. He said that all field officers of the department have been instructed to be alert and take immediate action on any matter related to availability of medicines or complaints of the public.
The contact numbers and office addresses of Drugs Control Administration officials are available in the “Key Contacts” section of the official website of Drugs Control Administration Telangana.
The public can also contact DCA Telangana toll-free number 1800 599 6969 for assistance or information related to availability of medicines.
AIOCD and Hyderabad Chemists and Druggists Association have called for the strike to protest against the recent amendments in drug regulations and the functioning of online pharmacies.
They say that uncontrolled operation of online pharmacies and digital medical platforms can lead to drug misuse, increase in antimicrobial resistance and pose serious threats to public health.
–IANS
SHK/AS
