Chemists’ body says strike successful, to continue talks with govt

Ahmedabad: Most retail medical stores across Gujarat remained shut on Wednesday during a one-day bandh call by chemists’ associations to protest against unregulated online pharmacies. The strike, announced by the All-India Organisation of Chemists and Druggists (AIOCD), received widespread support across the state, according to office-bearers of the Federation of Gujarat State Chemists and Druggists Associations (FGSCDA).

The AIOCD, which represents nearly 12.4 lakh chemists, pharmacists and distributors across the country, had called for the shutdown to press for stricter regulation of online medicine sales and to highlight concerns of brick-and-mortar retailers over alleged unfair competition.

FGSCDA office-bearers said the bandh saw extensive support in Ahmedabad and other parts of Gujarat. The state has around 33,000 medical stores, including nearly 3,000 in Ahmedabad.

FGSCDA president Jashvant Patel claimed that around 97% of medical stores in Ahmedabad remained shut, while statewide participation was close to 95%.

“Nearly 97% of medical stores in Ahmedabad remained closed, while across Gujarat the closure was about 95%. At the same time, we made sure some shops stayed open area-wise so that emergency medicine needs could still be met,” Patel said.

The association said it had coordinated with local units to ensure that a limited number of outlets remained operational in different areas to avoid inconvenience to patients requiring urgent medicines.

Patel said the protest was aimed at seeking regulation of online pharmacies and addressing concerns raised by traditional chemists. He added that the association continues to engage with the govt on the issue and expects further discussions in the coming days.