Chennai, May 19 (IANS). Amid the nationwide chemists’ strike on May 20, KG Arunraj on Tuesday assured that the supply of essential medical services and medicines will not be affected in Tamil Nadu.
Speaking to the media at Chennai Secretariat, the Health Minister said that CM Vijay has given clear instructions that no citizen should face any problem due to the strike.
Arunraj said, “Pharmacies attached to hospitals will not participate in the strike. Medical shops of private hospitals will also remain open. Around 5,000 pharmacies will remain operational across the state.”
He said the government has deployed drug inspectors to coordinate arrangements and detailed talks have been held with pharmacy organizations.
The Health Minister said that in case of emergency, people can directly contact the designated drug inspector coordinators of their district.
He informed that there are around 50,000 medical stores in Tamil Nadu, out of which only a limited number of shops are likely to remain closed, while most of the shops will continue to serve patients as normal.
Arunraj assured that there will be no problem in the availability of emergency medicines.
He said that the sale of medicines through online platforms is part of the decision of the Central Government and the Tamil Nadu government is keeping a close watch on it. Strict action will be taken against any violation of rules in online medicine delivery.
The minister also expressed concern about prescriptions being prepared with Artificial Intelligence (AI). He said the government has taken the issue seriously and safeguards are being worked out to prevent its misuse.
It is noteworthy that the All India Chemists and Pharmacists Organization has called for a nationwide bandh on May 20 in protest against the online medicine selling policies. The organization claims that more than 12 lakh chemists across the country are associated with it.
The organization has raised concerns about unregulated e-pharmacy, deep discounts on corporate platforms, risks to patient safety and increased antimicrobial resistance due to uncontrolled sale of antibiotics and habit-forming drugs.
–IANS
dsc
