By Our Reporter
SHILLONG, May 20: Around 2,600 pharmacies across Meghalaya remained closed on Wednesday as the Meghalaya Health Care Association (MHCA) joined a nationwide one-day strike called by the All India Organisation of Chemists and Druggists (AIOCD).
The protest, involving over 12.40 lakh chemists and distributors across India, was called to highlight long-standing grievances, primarily the unregulated online sale of medicines.
The MHCA noted that while the online sale of medicines was permitted during the COVID-19 pandemic as an emergency measure, the practice has continued unchecked despite the return to normalcy.
MHCA president David Kharsati said the association had informed the authorities and the public in advance regarding the 24-hour shutdown. “This is a one-day protest and we made it clear that pharmaceutical shops would not open,” he said.
To address emergency requirements during the strike, the association coordinated with private hospitals. “We requested all private hospitals to honour prescriptions for patients who could not access retail shops. We also took steps to ensure the strike passed without any untoward incidents,” Kharsati added.
The association maintained that the lack of clear and enforceable regulations for online pharmacies poses significant risks to both the pharmaceutical trade and public safety.
