Chemists across Tamil Nadu to go on strike today

Chennai: Chemist shops will down their shutters on Tuesday. This follows the Union Government decision to increase the sale of generic version drugs through online.

“We respect the Central Government's Scheme of Jan Avushathi shop for sale of generic version drugs at cheaper rate to patients. But, the drugs should not be double priced by Pharmaceutical Pricing Authorities and as in Jan Avushathi scheme,” said S. Ramachandran, President of Tamil Nadu Chemists' and Druggists’ Association. The Central Government has decided to order manufacturers, C&F, wholesalers, retailers to upload their procurement and sales details on e-portal, which in turn would indiscriminately affect the traders who sell medicines at shops.

There are around 33,000 medical shops in the state, many of which do not know to operate computers. Thus, chemists are also demanding? to be taught how to use the new technologies, so that they can make online facilities accessible to the people.

Opposing this move of Central Government, pharmacies across the state, except in hospitals, will remain shut. In case of emergency needs of medicines, drug controller of Tamil Nadu can be contacted.  However, the chemists in Adyar, Mandaveli and Mylapore zones are not supporting the strike.