Pune: Around 9,000 chemists from the city and 85,000 chemists from across the State remained shut on Friday to mark the protest against e-pharmacy. The protest was called by members of the All India Organisation of Chemists and Druggists (AIOCD) across the nation against the proposed e-pharmacy draft.

High-end pharmacies across the city also sent text messages to their customers stating the cause for the protest while assuring them that in case of emergencies, the medicines will be available.

The problem of distribution of addictive drugs and Medical Termination of Pregnancy (MTP) kits via e-pharmacy were time and again highlighted by the organisation.

Chemists have demanded that the government should not pass the draft which was open for discussion till Friday. After which the concerned authorities will take a decisive step.

Chemists also fear that the ongoing digitalisation of pharmacies will not only hamper the interest of the patients but also affect the business of small pharmacy owners.

They also fear that drugs which need a specific temperature to store, for example, insulin, will not reach the patients in proper form through e-pharmacy as the condition may vary and this may affect the drug.