(Photo Courtesy: Image by Image by drewstewart from Pixabay | For representational purpose only)
Dimapur, May 6 (MExN): The Nagaland Medicine Dealers Association (NMDA) has announced its participation in a one-day nationwide bandh on May 20, from 6:00 AM to 6:00 PM, joining a protest called by the All India Organisation of Chemists and Druggists (AIOCD) against illegal e-pharmacies, predatory pricing by large corporates, and the continuation of certain COVID-era government notifications.
The bandh, which will shutter most medical shops across the country, is aimed at urging authorities to take immediate corrective measures to ensure fair trade practices and safeguard public health, according to a statement issued by the Association.
Key concerns behind the protest include the unchecked operation of unregulated e-pharmacies, which the Association said is leading to the sale of medicines without valid prescriptions, easy access to antibiotics and habit-forming drugs, and increased risks to patient safety. Deep discounting by large corporates is also creating an uneven playing field, severely affecting the sustainability of small and medium chemists nationwide.
The Association further noted that the continuation of certain government notifications originally issued during the COVID-19 period has added to the distress of the pharmaceutical trade.
In Nagaland, pharmacies attached to government and private hospitals as well as nursing homes will remain exempted from the bandh to meet the needs of emergency patients.
The AIOCD has appealed to the government for urgent intervention and expressed hope for a constructive resolution through dialogue. All district chemists and druggists associations have been requested to comply with the bandh, which seeks to protect the livelihoods of over 12 lakh chemists and their dependents across the country.
