Chemists to go on one-day strike on May 20

Thousands of chemists across Maharashtra will participate in a nationwide oneday bandh called by the All India Organisation of Chemists and Druggists AIOCD on WednesdayThe Maharashtra Food and Drug Administration FDA said it has activated districtlevel emergency control rooms and coordinated with hospitals and 24x7 pharmacies to ensure an uninterrupted supply of lifesaving medicinesChemists and wholesalers from Mumbai Navi Mumbai Thane Palghar and Raigad are expected to gather at Azad Maidan to press for their demands against online medicine platforms and alleged regulatory disparity between retail chemists and epharmaciesFDA Commissioner Shridhar Dube Patil said the administration has held meetings with chemistsrsquo associations and FDA Minister Narhari Zirwal ahead of the protestldquoWe are fully prepared to handle any emergency situation during the strike Emergency contact numbers have been activated in all districts across Maharashtra and officials have been instructed to remain on alertrdquo Patil saidChemistsrsquo concernsSunil Chajjed general secretary of the Navi Mumbai Retail Chemists and Wholesalers Association said the protest revolves around three major concerns raised repeatedly by chemists across the countryldquoThe first demand is complete closure of illegal online medicine sales Secondly online platforms are offering discounts of 30 to 40 per cent which is badly affecting retail chemists FDA has capped discounts for us at around 16 to 20 per cent then why are online companies getting away with such practicesrdquo Chajjed questionedHe further alleged that several online platforms are supplying medicines without valid prescriptions ldquoSleeping pills habitforming medicines and even MT pills are allegedly being sold without proper prescriptions online Youngsters are increasingly consuming sleeping pills If we retail chemists sell medicines without a prescription our licence can be suspended and strict action is taken against us Then why different rules for online platformsrdquo he askedChajjed added that chemists are not against competition but want a ldquofair and regulated systemrdquoldquoWe are ready to compete with anyone but the competition should be genuine and legalrdquo he said warning that the agitation may continue in the future if demands are ignoredEmergency supportDespite the bandh chemistsrsquo associations have claimed that emergency healthcare services will not be disruptedldquoWe have instructed all association members to conduct the protest peacefully without causing inconvenience to citizens Our members have also been asked to remain available during emergencies and cooperate with the police FDA and the publicrdquo Chajjed saidA representative from Millennium Medical Stores said ldquoWe are symbolically participating in the strike but we are attached to Millennium Hospital so we will remain operational for emergency requirementsrdquoldquoWe donrsquot want patients to suffer Emergency medicine support will continue wherever necessaryrdquo Chajjed saidlsquoStock up on essentialsrsquoAn Apple Chemist outlet in Navi Mumbai PICABHITASH SINGHAt several medical stores across Navi Mumbai pharmacists said they had informed regular customers in advance to stock up on routine medicines However emergency dispensing facilities will remain available in select locationsChampat Jat associated with Apple Chemist outlet in Navi Mumbai said ldquoPatients who require regular BP diabetes or heart medicines should avoid waiting till the last minute Though emergency services will continue it is always safer to keep essential medicines in handrdquoShravan Jat from Apple Chemist echoed this saying ldquoSenior citizens and patients undergoing ongoing treatment should remain cautious We are trying to assist customers while also supporting the bandhrdquoFDA emergency control room numbers Zone 1 South Mumbai Colaba to Byculla mdash Ajay Mahale 9323690325 Zone 2 Mahalaxmi to Wadala Sewri mdash Hemant Aade 9869333651 Zone 3 Kurla East Ghatkopar Chembur Govandi Mankhurd Shivaji Nagar mdash PR Rawat 8007877854 Zone 4 Bandra East amp West Vikhroli to Mulund Sakinaka Chandivli Powai mdash Sheetal Deshmukh 9404993598 Zone 5 Khar Santacruz Vile Parle Juhu Andheri mdash Poonam Salunkhekar 8108192001 Zone 6 Jogeshwari Goregaon Malad mdashRakesh Edulwar 9619270766 Zone 7 Kandivli Borivli Dahisar mdash Aarti Kamble 9323459896In case of an emergencyhellip Contact the nearest FDA emergency control room Reach out to nearby hospitals with inhouse pharmacies Visit designated 24x7 pharmacies operating during the bandh Carry valid prescriptions for critical medicines Avoid panic buying or unnecessary stockpiling Senior citizens and patients with chronic illnesses should keep essential medicines in advance