The All India Organisation of Chemists and Druggists representing more than 8.5 lakh chemists and druggists Pan India will shut their shops from midnight of May 29 till May 30 midnight, in protest against the government’s proposal of setting up an E-portal for the regulation of sale of medicines.
The proposed e-portal will make it mandatory for all registered chemists with Medical Council of India, to scan and upload each and every prescription reaching to them at a fee of Rs 200 per prescription.
“Considering insufficient infrastructure of IT across the country, it will be difficult and embarrassing for most of the stockists, druggists and chemists to upload the details of the sale on the e-portal within a stipulated period,” said Prasad Tamba, President of the Chemists and Druggists Association of Goa.
“It has been claimed in the public notice that the Anti-Microbial Resistance (AMR) will be reduced due to the E-portal system. On the contrary, the Anti-Microbial Resistance (AMR) will get increased due to E-portal system and the patients will have to bear the brunt,” said Tamba.
In view of the strike, President of the Chemists and Druggists Association of Goa has advised the people to buy their medicines in advance. “In case of emergency the chemist shops in all govt hospitals will remain open,” he added.
Source: O Herald O
