All pharmacies across the country and around 2600 medicine shops in Meghalaya will remain closed on May 20
By Our Reporter
SHILLONG, April 29: The Meghalaya Health Care Association (MHCA) on Wednesday announced its participation in a nationwide one-day bandh on May 20, called to protest long-pending issues affecting the pharmaceutical trade and public health.
The MHCA stated that all wholesale and retail pharmacies across India will remain closed on the day, including around 2,600 medicine shops in Meghalaya.
The bandh has been called by the All India Organisation of Chemists and Druggists (AIOCD), which represents over 12.40 lakh chemists and distributors across the country.
Addressing reporters, MHCA president David Kharsati raised concerns over the continued ‘illegal practice’ of online sale of medicines in the absence of clear and enforceable regulations.
He stated that while limited online sale of medicines was permitted during the COVID-19 pandemic to ensure access in emergencies, the practice has continued unchecked even after normalcy returned.
“Online sale of medicines was allowed only under exceptional circumstances, but today private players are continuing the business without proper regulation, which is a serious concern,” Kharsati said.
He further informed that although a five-day shutdown was initially proposed during a meeting held in Udaipur on March 15, the association later decided to observe a one-day bandh on May 20 after due consideration.
The association said the bandh aims to send a strong message against the illegal sale of medicines online, particularly without valid prescriptions.
The AIOCD has flagged several critical concerns, including the unchecked growth of e-pharmacies, predatory pricing practices by large corporate players, and a lack of effective regulatory control. It has also demanded the withdrawal of certain government notifications related to online drug sales and pricing.
Among the major risks highlighted are the sale of medicines without prescriptions, misuse of prescriptions, easy access to antibiotics and habit-forming drugs, circulation of fake prescriptions, and lack of direct interaction between pharmacists and patients.
The organisation warned that such practices could lead to serious public health risks, including improper storage of medicines and the growing threat of antimicrobial resistance.
Despite submitting multiple memorandums to the central government, including to the Prime Minister, Home Minister, Ministry of Health, and the Drugs Controller General of India, the AIOCD said no concrete action has been taken so far.
Reiterating its stand, the organisation said medicines are not ordinary commodities and must be handled with strict oversight to ensure patient safety.
The MHCA has appealed to all stakeholders in Meghalaya to support the bandh, while assuring that emergency and essential medical services will remain unaffected.
