"Jan Aushadhi centres staying open during chemist protest a positive step": BJD's Sasmit Patra
New Delhi, May 20
BJD MP Sasmit Patra on Wednesday said it was a "very positive step" that Jan Aushadhi centres and some chemist shops remained operational despite the nationwide strike called by chemists against e-pharmacy operations.
Speaking to ANI here, Patra said the government should engage with chemists' associations and work towards ensuring that offline pharmacies are not adversely affected by e-commerce platforms.
"Despite the bandh call today on chemist shops in protest to the growing dominance of the e-commerce pharmacies, many Jan Aushadhi centres as well as other chemist shops staying open is a very positive step...the govt needs to engage with the chemists' associations and organisations and find a way by which the chemist shops don't get adversely impacted by the e-commerce pharmacies," he said.
The remarks come amid a 24-hour nationwide strike called by the All India Organisation of Chemists and Druggists (AIOCD) against alleged unregulated e-pharmacy operations, deep discounts and unverified online sale of prescription medicines.
Several medical shops and pharmacies remained closed in parts of the country, including Gujarat's Rajkot and Maharashtra's Pune, where visuals showed shutters down at several stores as chemists joined the protest.
Earlier, AIOCD National President JS Shinde termed the current online sale of medicines in the country as "entirely unlawful and illegal."
The organisation has demanded cancellation of Notification GSR 817, withdrawal of Notification GSR 220 introduced during the COVID-19 pandemic, and a fresh regulatory framework for medicine sales.
The protest also highlighted concerns over deep discounts being offered by online medicine platforms, with offline chemists seeking higher margins under the Drug Price Control Order (DPCO) if such discounts continue.
Despite the strike, the AIOCD had said emergency medicines would remain available throughout the protest period.
Meanwhile, Patra also welcomed the growing strategic and cultural partnership between India and Italy following the joint op-ed by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni.
"Both the premiers of India and Italy signing and writing a common statement relating to the shared values and culture between India and Italy is a welcome step. India and Italy have a lot in common in terms of our shared values and our intent for the good of our people," Patra said.
"And this cooperation between India and Italy will go a long way in terms of strengthening further cooperation on many strategic areas of common interest," he added.
In their joint op-ed titled "Italy and India: A Strategic Partnership for the Indo-Mediterranean," PM Modi and Meloni outlined plans to deepen cooperation in trade, technology, clean energy, defence, artificial intelligence and connectivity initiatives such as the India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor (IMEC).
— ANI
Reader Comments
I understand the offline chemists' concerns about their livelihoods being affected. But e-pharmacies are not going away; even Prime Minister Modi is promoting digital India. The government should regulate online pharmacies strictly rather than banning them. Also, deep discounts are attractive but we need quality checks for online medicines.
As someone living in the US, I see both sides. Our online pharmacies are heavily regulated by FDA. India needs similar robust systems. But strikes during a pandemic? That's a bit much. Emergency medicines should always be available. Good to see Jan Aushadhi centres stayed open.
Kudos to BJD leader Patra for his balanced view. We need offline chemists for emergencies especially in rural areas where internet is patchy. But e-pharmacies are convenient for chronic conditions where you need monthly refills. Why can't we have both? Government should negotiate with AIOCD instead of them calling strikes every time.
The real issue is not e-pharmacies vs offline chemists. The real issue is that medicine prices are too high in our country because of middlemen. Jan Aushadhi centres have shown that quality medicines can be sold at low prices if government intervenes. But more needs to be done. The chemist association should focus on reducing their margins instead of blocking online competition.
Chemists' strike is not solution. We need proper regulation, not shutdowns. Meanwhile, interesting that Patra mentioned India-Italy partnership. Europe is looking towards India for strategic cooperation. Good diplomatic move by Modi and Meloni. But we need to keep focus on domestic healthcare issues first.