Chemists in Phagwara observed a complete shutdown on Wednesday, participating in a nationwide strike called by the All India Organisation of Chemists and Druggists. The protest was primarily against the burgeoning online sale of medicines and the deep discount practices employed by large retail chains, which local chemists argue are severely impacting their livelihoods.
Information was available with The Chenab Times that representatives from the Kapurthala District Chemists Association and the Phagwara Chemists Association, under the joint leadership of District President Rakesh Aggarwal, Chairman VP Singh Arora, and Phagwara President Som Parkash, submitted a memorandum outlining their concerns to Member of Parliament Dr. Raj Kumar Chabbewal at the local Rest House.
The memorandum highlighted that the increasing trend of online medicine sales and substantial discounts offered by major online retailers are creating an unsustainable business environment for local pharmacies. Furthermore, the associations expressed serious concerns regarding the alleged distribution of narcotic and counterfeit medicines through online platforms. They stated that several digital platforms are supplying medications without adequate verification processes or valid medical prescriptions, posing a significant threat to public health and safety.
Vineet Gaba, District Secretary, elaborated on these concerns, stating that numerous online companies are delivering medicines without adhering to necessary regulatory checks. He alleged that the availability of fake and habit-forming drugs through online channels, without strict monitoring, endangers consumers and undermines public health initiatives.
Som Parkash, President of the Phagwara Chemists Association, called for a complete ban on the online sale of medicines. He also urged for strict inspections of Jan Aushadhi centres, government-run outlets offering generic medicines at subsidized rates. The association leaders further voiced their resentment towards certain policy decisions made by both the Central and State Governments, which they claim are adversely affecting medicine dealers across the country. Protesters also raised slogans against the Central Government during the agitation.
The protesting chemists warned that if their demands are not addressed promptly, the agitation would be intensified in the coming days. They emphasized the need for government intervention to protect the interests of local chemists and ensure the integrity of medicine distribution channels.
Member of Parliament Dr. Raj Kumar Chabbewal assured the chemists that their grievances would be strongly presented in Parliament. He committed to forwarding the memorandum to the Central Government for appropriate consideration and action. Dr. Chabbewal acknowledged the importance of their concerns and promised to advocate for their resolution.
Despite the strike, emergency services across Phagwara remained uninterrupted. Measures were in place to ensure that critically ill patients did not face any inconvenience or delays in receiving essential medications. The collective action by chemists aimed to draw attention to systemic issues within the pharmaceutical supply chain without compromising critical patient care.
Among those present during the protest and the submission of the memorandum were Pankaj Lamba, Rashpal Rai Bawa, Santosh Gogi, Manish Singla Rocky, Tarun Aggarwal, Mukesh Bansal, Ishan Pasricha, Puneet Handa, Rinku Bansal, Jaspal Singh, Neeraj Gupta, Ajay Chhabra, and Ravi Garg. A large number of chemists from the Phagwara region participated in the demonstration, underscoring the widespread nature of their concerns.
The Chenab Times News Desk