Chemists in AP, Telangana support strike, shut shops

Hyderabad: As many as 45,000 medical shops in both Andhra Pradesh and Telangana remained closed on Wednesday as part of a nationwide chemists' strike called by the All India Organisation of Chemists & Druggists (AIOCD) demanding action from the Centre against illegal online sale of medicines.

All the 25,000 outlets in Telangana and 20,000 outlets in Andhra Pradesh downed their shutters on Wednesday. Only a few outlets located in some of the important hospitals are functioning on Wednesday, Ramesh Gupta, president of AP Chemists and Druggists Association stated.

He said the bandh has been observed following the in action of the Centre in curbing the illegal online sale of medicines.

According to him, livelihood of nearly 4,00,000 people is dependent on the drug stores of both the states. Gupta alleged the youth are having access to the illegal drug though online sales which may pose a threat to the nation.

Source:PTI