Pune: Chemists across India will remain shut on Friday to protest against the proposed draft of e-pharmacy. Members of the All India Organisation of Chemists and Druggists (AIOCD) on Thursday said even after the protest on Friday, if the government does not change the draft of e-pharmacy, then the association is ready to file a Public Interest Litigation (PIL). 

Speaking to Sakal Times, Vaijanath Jagushte, a member of AIOCD said around 9,000 chemists from the city and the 85,000 chemists from across the State will remain shut as a mark of the protest.

“Problems in e-pharmacy have been highlighted time and again. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Maharashtra has sent a report to the government and highlighted that online pharmacies sell addictive and other harmful drugs in various parts of the State,” said Jagushte.

He added that in the draft, there has been no mention of licensing. “If the e-pharmacy takes off, there will be huge losses to retail shops, but more importantly, people who want medicines immediately will also suffer. Also, our margins are very less since prices are regulated for all medicines,” said Jagushte.
He said there are misguiding discounts on portals. “Many sites provide such heavy discounts. But later, they may charge more which will further affect the pockets of patients,” said Jagushte.