In support of the All India Organisation of Chemists and Druggists (AIOCD)'s nationwide bandh on October 14, 2015, approximately 72,000 chemist shops in Maharashtra will remain closed to protest against online pharmacy. Nearly 3,000 to 4,000 chemists and druggists will assemble at Azad Maidan in Mumbai and 5,000 to 10,000 are expected to assemble at Jantar Mantar in Delhi.

The AIOCD, an apex body of about 8 lakh members involved in distribution of medicines across the country, has declared nationwide bandh to attract the attention of government and concerned authorities towards illegal sale of medicine through internet.

J. S. Shinde, president of AIOCD said that the chemists will remain closed from midnight of October 13, to midnight of October 14. On October 14, our members will submit the memorandum at Mantralaya, FDA and all the concerned authorities at all states and national level.

“We have no alternative but to go on strike to protect the health of general public as well as interest of our members,” said Shinde.

The organisation informed that the online pharmacy violates the present provision of Drugs and Cosmetics Act, 1940 and Rules, 1945. It will also increase the risk of adverse drug reaction. The biggest threat of online pharmacy is irrational use of medicines and easy availability of drug through internet can also increase the drug addiction in youth.

AIOCD has recently submitted a detailed memorandum to the concerned ministers, DCGI, DTAB and to the Members of Parliament (MPs), highlighting the e-pharmacy's hazardous effects on the patients. Even though the DCGI and some of state drug controllers are on record that any sale of drugs using internet or web portal is illegal, no actions have been initiated by the administration so far against it.

Meanwhile, the Maharashtra FDA has issued instructions to chemists and druggists associations to call off the strike scheduled on October 14, 2015 against the online sale of drugs. However, AIOCD, Maharashtra State Chemists and Druggists Association (MSCDA) and affiliated associations in Maharashtra have asked its members to keep their medical shops closed on the day.

Some of the associations have, however, opposed the strike and have informed the FDA that their shops will remain open on this day. FDA has warned the associations not to participate in the strike and said that strict action as per law will be taken if the medicines are not made available.

Drug pricing regulator National Pharmaceutical Pricing Authority (NPPA) has also written to the AIOCD and other associations referring the provisions of para 28 of Drugs Price Control Order 2013, notified under Essential Commodities Act, 1955 asking them to ensure the availability of medicines.

In an official release issued by Maharashtra FDA, it has been stated that a separate sub-committee has been formed under Drugs Consultative Committee (DCC), a statutory body under Drugs and Cosmetics Act, 1940, to examine the issue of sale of medicines via internet. AIOCD and MSCDA have submitted their views and representations to the said sub-committee. The sub committee has also heard their views and concerns. The concerned committee is yet to submit their reports and government of India has not taken any decision to this effect. Hence it is premature to assume the decision has been taken against the view of these associations and calling strike at this instance will affect the public health at large.  

Meanwhile, Maharashtra FDA has issued directions to all joint commissioners and assistant commissioners in the state to take the measures like appealing to all licensees to keep their shops open, all the staff and officers in each district shall be available during the strike.

There should be co-ordination with the civil surgeons, district health officers, medical officers of government, semi government and private hospitals, Indian Medical Association (IMA) and 24-hour medical stores to ensure the availability of medicine.

All the respective collectors, divisional commissioners, superintendent of police, commissioner of police need to be informed regarding the measures taken to ensure the availability of medicines. It has been instructed to establish the control room for this purpose and wide publicity to be given about the above measures.

The control room have been established in each district for this purpose and information is made available on 1800-222-365 (toll free), 022-26592362 to 26592365. Information about 24 hours medical stores, in the state of Maharashtra, is available on websites:www.fda.maharashtra.gov.in and www.xlnindia.gov.in