By Our Reporter
SHILLONG: In line with the demands put forth by the All India Organisation of Chemists and Druggists (AIOCD) against the unjustified government policies and its impact on the fraternity of medicine dealers engaged in its distribution, the Meghalaya Healthcare Association has decided to take part in the nationwide agitation which includes Dharna and Morcha. They will also observe a token bandh on May 10.
In this proposed agitation programme, all the 7.5 lakh chemists in the country will observe a one-day bandh and hold morchas in all the states and districts headquarters.
In New Delhi, the dharna will be held at Jantar Mantar on the same day and several chemists from neighbouring states and all over India will participate in this dharna.
Their various demands included-considering the rising operational costs, the AIOCD demanded a maintenance in the trade margin of medicines and not to reduce it in the forth-coming Drugs (Price Control) Order 2013, to resolve the long pending issue of shortage of pharmacists and suitably amend Rule 65(15)© of Drugs and Cosmetics Rules to permit the partner/proprietor as a qualified person to dispense the medicines and to refrain from permitting FDI in distributing and retailing of medicines besides others.
The memorandum had also been forwarded to the Prime Minister, state Chief Ministers and other ministers in the ministry.
