Nationwide Chemist One Day Bandh Hon’ble High Court Serious on Online Sales of Medicines but Government Seems Ignorant – J. S. Shinde

All India Organisation of Chemists & Druggists (AIOCD) is an apex body of about 8 lakh members involved in sale & distribution of medicines across the country. AIOCD oppose the move of Central Govt. towards regularizing sale of medicines through internet i.e. E-Pharmacy. AIOCD declares Nationwide Chemist BANDH on Wednesday, 23^rd November 2016 to attract the attention of Public, Government and concerned authorities towards following important issues.

1. Sale of medicine on internet is totally illegal as per present provision of Drugs & Cosmetics Act 1940 and Rules 1945.

2. Increase risk of Adverse Drug Reaction (ADR).

3. Easy opening to entry of Low quality, misbranded & spurious medicines.

4. Big threat of irrational use of medicines.

5. Big threat of Drug addiction in youth due to easy availability of schedule & prescription medicine through internet.

6. Economical set back to 8 lakh chemists & approx. 80 lakh workers & their families.

7. Danger of non-availability of medicine in rural India.

8. Deletion of pharmacist’s role as patient counselor is dangerous. Pharmacist plays an important role as link between Doctor & Patient.

Mr. J. S. Shinde - President - AIOCD further said that, “We feel that looking to the various issues & threatening in opening of doors to internet, E-Pharmacy; country like India just cannot compare with the developed countries with it’s laws & governance and go for changing the law before overcoming the threatening. He also told that Hon’ble High Court seems very serious on impact of Online Sales of Medicine on public health at the same time after producing  various proofs & illegal sale activities of various websites; Government Authorities are not taken serious and seems to be Ignorant on issue related to public health. We should also thoroughly study the risk and threats observed in E-Pharmacy business by the advanced countries who allowed the internet pharmacy with strict necessary infrastructure & manpower with good governance. We also feel that to protect the interest of handful players introduction of E-Pharmacy, will hamper the interest of 8 lakh chemists & 80 lakh workers & their families”.

Presently online pharmacy business is going on illegally and Govt. authorities are not taking care or any actions against them inspite of full proof evidences submitted to drug authorities. Internet online pharmacies are supplying all the prescription & schedule medicines like anti-depression, habit forming drugs, I-pill, MTP Kits, codeine cough syrups without confirming the authenticity of prescription & patient who become victims of the illegal process.

Mr. J. S. Shinde - President - AIOCD told that, "We have no alternative than to go on strike to protect Health of General Public as well as Interest of our members."