Pharmacies across Kolhapur remain shut; few requests for emergency meds: FDA

Kolhapur: Pharmacy owners from across Kolhapur on Wednesday joined the 24-hour nationwide strike called to protest against e-pharmacies and alleged irregularities in sale of medicines online.

The operators of chain pharmacies that remain open 24x7 and generic medical shops, who had promised the authorities to stay away from the strike, also joined the protest and downed their shutters.

In their defence, the operators said the All India Organisation of Chemists and Druggists forced them to keep the shop closed. “I had opened my shop in the morning, but had to shut down by afternoon. I sat outside the shop to ensure if a patient arrives, he or she should get the medicine,” a generic shop operator said.

TOI spoke to operators of a pharmacy chain that is not associated with the All India Organisation of Chemists and Druggists that gave the call to shut shop.

“We also kept our shops shut for the day. We, however, informed the authorities that we are ready to give medicines in cases of emergencies. However, we did not get any request for emergency medicine supply. Those who had no emergency requirement were told to come tomorrow,” one of the operators said.

The state FDA had set up control centres in Kolhapur city and at taluka levels. “The hospital attached pharmacies — both private and public — were operational. We ensured they have adequate stock with them. We only got three requests in a day for medicines which we got arranged,” Mahesh Kawatikwar, assistant commissioner FDA (drugs), said.

Earlier in the day, hundreds of pharmacists took out a protest march to the Kolhapur collector’s office. The delegation — led by district president of Kolhapur Chemists Association Madan Patil — handed over a petition of their demands.

Around 2,000 chemists join protest in Nashik

In Nashik, hundreds of chemists observed a day-long strike on Wednesday by keeping their establishments closed.

Officials from the Nashik District Chemists and Druggists Association claimed that 8,000 retail and 1,200 wholesale traders from the district participated in the strike as part of a nationwide shutdown.

Members of the chemists and druggists association in Nashik said there is currently no legal provision regulating the online sale of medicines. “Despite a stay order from the Delhi high court, illegal online medicine sales continued rampantly across the country,” they said.