With a view to protest against the unjustified government policies, the Delhi based Retailers and Distributors Chemist Association (RDCA) has decided to observe a token bandh on May 10 in New Delhi. RDCA which is affiliated to the All India Organisation of Chemists and Druggists (AIOCD), will join with all the 7.5 lakh chemists in the country to hold morchas and dharnas in all district and state headquarters.

The dharna will be held in New Delhi at Jantar Mantar at 10:30 am with several chemists from across the country participating in it to register their protest against the government policies and its impact on fraternity of medicine dealers engaged in its distribution. Sandeep Nangia, president of RDCA Delhi informed that during this bandh the association will further push for its demands to be heard by the government for their consideration.

Considering the rising operational costs, the association wants the government to maintain the trade margins of medicines and not to reduce it in the forthcoming drugs (price control) order 2013. they stressed that to resolve the long pending issue of shortage of pharmacists, the government should suitably amend rule 65(15)(c) of Drugs & Cosmetics Rules to permit the partner/proprietor as a qualified person to dispense the medicines.

The association stressed that relief should be given under section 19 of the Drugs & Cosmetics Act 1940, to the innocent dealer who may have acted with bona fide intentions, if he submits valid documents of transactions.  Most importantly, they have requested the administration not to prosecute him or her till his or her guilt has been proved.

On the foreign direct investments (FDI) front they pointed out that, it should not be permitted in distribution and retailing of medicines as there are families of 25 lakh (more than one crore populations) employees are subsisting on this livelihood through employment in this sector.

The association has already forwarded the memorandum of these demands before the concerned ministries, authorities to look into this matter seriously and resolve the burning issues of pharmaceutical dealers.