Nationwide pharmacy strike today against online medicine delivery platforms

MUMBAI: Across the country, medical shops could face disruptions today as the All India Organisation of Chemists and Druggists (AIOCD) has announced a nationwide, one-day closure of pharmacies. In Maharashtra, Food and Drug Administration (FDA) said they asked sellers, hospital-attached pharmacies and 24-hour medical stores across the state to ensure the supply of essential medicines.

The strike is against unregulated surge in online pharma-delivery platforms. Officials said there is continuous communication maintained with associations as well as district collectors, police administration, civil surgeons, district health officers, as well as private and semi-govt hospitals.

A central control room has been set up at FDA headquarters. Citizens can call control room number 9890293253 for assistance. The contact officers for Mumbai's zones are Ajay Mahule for Zone 1 (Colaba-Byculla, 9423610325), Hemant Ade for Zone 2 (Mahalaxmi-Bandra W, 8169393681), P.H. Raut for Zone 3 (8007877754), Punam Salgaonkar for Zone 4 (Kurla E-Mankhurd, 8108129001), Shital Deshmukh for Zone 5 (Bandra E-Mulund, 9404173518), Rakesh Edlawar for Zone 6 (Khar-Andheri, 9619207976), and Aarti Kambli for Zone 7 (Jogeshwari-Dahisar, 9323951496).

"We appeal to the public not to believe any rumours. If any difficulty arises regarding the supply of medicines, citizens should contact their district FDA control rooms," officials said.