Chemists observe total bandh in city

SHILLONG: More than hundred pharmacies in the city under the aegis of the All-India Organisation of Chemists and Druggists (AIOCD) on Wednesday downed their shutters demanding government action against “illegal” online sale of medicines.
The day-long nationwide strike affected patients in the city.
The general secretary of the Meghalaya Health Care Association, B Chakraborty claimed that the strike was successful in Shillong.
Reacting to a query about the difficulties faced by patients, he said that prior information about the strike was given through the media and private hospitals were asked to provide medicine to patients who visit the hospital with prescription.
He also said that the bandh was total in Jowai. However, in Tura strike was partial. The introduction of e-Pharmacy is being opposed as it is feared that it will hamper the interest over of 8 lakh chemists and the 80 lakh workers and their families across the country.
When contacted, East Khasi Hills Deputy Commissioner PS Dkhar said that since it was a nationwide bandh the district administration would wait for the instructions from the State Government to take action against erring pharmacies “since it is an essential service”.