Following the AP Government's decision to invoke Essential Services Maintenance Act (ESMA), the Andhra Pradesh Chemists & Druggists Association (APCDA) has decided to call off its six-day strike on Wednesday evening.

The State Commercial Taxes Minister, Konathala Ramakrishna, said the druggists have agreed to the Government's proposal to review the implementation of Value Added Tax (VAT) on medicines after three months.

The minister also said, the Empowered Committee, which would be meeting in New Delhi on April 16, 2005 would discuss the issue in detail.

It may be noted that the Government earlier had issued an ultimatum to the druggists that if the shops were not opened by Thursday, the druggists would be punished under ESMA.

The AP High Court, on Wednesday morning, has directed the druggists to open the pharmacies within 24 hours, after noting the hardships caused due to the closure of medical shops and shortage of life saving drugs to the needy patients.