The drugs control department in Tamil Nadu has given strict instruction to the chemists and druggists association and to the wholesalers groups not to make any interruption to the smooth supply of medicines to the needy patients on October 14, when the All India Organisation of Chemists and Druggists (AIOCD) is holding a nationwide agitation by exhorting its members to close down the pharmacies.
 
The department has also instructed its zonal offices to be vigilant on the day and wanted all the drug inspectors to monitor the situation in urban as well as in rural areas. If any problem of non-availability of medicines arises any part of the state, the assistant drugs control offices will manage the situation by contacting the nearest pharmacies and drugs will be provided to the needy patients any time, said M. Abdul Khader, director of drugs control.

He said all arrangements have been made for the smooth operation of pharmacies functioning inside and outside of government and private hospitals. All the traders have been requested to open their shops and refrain from closure.

Whereas, the president of the Tamil Nadu Chemists and Druggists Association (TNCDA), Mannargudi Ramachandran, said more than 35000 retail medical shops and over 5000 wholesalers’ stores will remain closed on the day protesting against the central government’s move to introduce online sale of prescription drugs. In the morning on October 14, all the district headquarters will witness picketing by the members of the association. Office-bearers of each district committee will meet the district collector and submit memorandum raising their demands. The office bearers of the state committee will assemble at Valluvarkottam in Chennai and hold meeting in protest against the government move.

Justifying the pharma bandh call by AICOD, Mannargudi Ramachandran said the closure of medical stores is part of the all India strike called by the AIOCD, the largest trade body of medicine retailers. TNCDA has received the support of the state branch of the Indian Medical Association for the pharma strike, he added.

When asked about availability of medicines in hospitals, the association president responded that pharmacies operating in the premises of hospitals are permitted to open for sale of drugs, but only to the admitted patients (IP). Those pharmacies working outside of the hospitals have been requested to take part in the strike. However, if any pharmacy, either in a city or in a village, opens on its own discretion, the association will not stop it from selling drugs; it can function without any interruption, he said.

When contacted, Kerala drugs controller B. Hariprasad said that all the traders in the state have been asked to withdraw from the strike call as the government has formed a special committee to study the option of e-pharmacy. He said the strike will not affect Kerala as majority of the retailers are not supporting AKCDA for the pharma bandh. Drug inspectors in each area will monitor the situation and make arrangements for the availability of medicines everywhere.

AN. Mohan, president of the All Kerala Chemists and Druggists Association said they do not want to prevent the medicine distribution system in the name of strike. The association wants to give awareness to the public about the dangers of e-pharmacy once it is introduced in the country. However, he expressed the hope that about 13000 retailers will down their shutters on the day.