Agartala, Wednesday: A nationwide one-day strike in the pharmaceutical sector was observed on Wednesday to protest against the unregulated operations of online pharmacies and alleged exploitative pricing policies.
The strike, supported by the All Tripura Chemists and Druggists Association, had a significant impact across Tripura. According to sources, most medicine shops remained closed throughout the state except in areas around Hapania Hospital in Agartala and in Kamalpur. However, as an emergency measure, at least one pharmacy near every hospital and Primary Health Centre was kept open to ensure essential services.
In the morning, members of the association gathered near IGM Hospital in Agartala in support of the nationwide programme. As part of the protest, they submitted a memorandum addressed to Prime Minister Narendra Modi to the District Magistrate of West Tripura district.
The protesters claimed that illegal e-pharmacies and heavy discounts offered by large corporate companies have put the livelihood of nearly 1.24 million chemists and drug traders and around 50 million people across the country at risk. The nationwide strike was called by the All India Organisation of Chemists and Druggists in protest against what they described as government inaction.
Among their key demands are the withdrawal of the temporary COVID-era notification GSR 220(E), cancellation of the e-pharmacy notification GSR 817(E), and the introduction of a level playing field by stopping unfair deep discounts offered by large corporate pharmacy chains.