The central government is firm in its plan to introduce an electronic platform to regulate the sale of drugs despite opposition from chemists.
Chemists from all over the country closed the stores on a day of strike against the move that will make it mandatory to load all the details of sale and purchase. The chemists have opposed the plan, as it will increase costs and impact especially in rural areas. With limited Internet infrastructure, it will not be possible to switch to an electronic platform.
However, the government plans to move forward with the plan. "We will take all necessary measures for the same in consultation with the industry," said a senior official at the Central Drug and Standard Control Organization (CDSCO).
The president of the Chemical and Pharmaceutical Organization of India (AIOCD), Jagannath Shinde, said the strike was a 100 percent success. In West Bengal, 90 percent of the 40,000 stores were closed between 6 am and 10 am, said Tushar Chakraborty, a former secretary of the Bengal Chemical and Drug Association.
The electronic platform has been proposed to guarantee the supply of quality medicines and to restrain resistance to microbes. However, the government's proposal has divided the commercial agencies of the pharmacy. These divisions were evident on Tuesday also with the section of chemists who kept their.
Tamil Nadu and Maharashtra Food and Drug Administration officials claimed that 30-40 percent of all stores in the states remained open. "We have created a helpline to help citizens who require drugs in an emergency, but we received only three calls," said Maharashtra FDA Commissioner Harshdeep Kamble.
"Our hospital-based pharmacies as well as clinic-based pharmacies were open across the country, apart from each group trying to operate at least one store to meet emergency requirements," said P Jayakumar, chief operating officer for Apollo Pharmacy .
The Federation of State Chemicals Gujarat and Druggists Association president Jashvant Patel said the industry is seeking clarity in government push for generic drugs. "The law does not allow us to substitute a drug that has been prescribed by a doctor.For this to happen the change will have to be done in the act of drugs and cosmetics.Then we can sell medicines at cheaper prices," he said, Adding that the association has been seeking clarity on the issue
