Nagaland chemists to join nationwide bandh on May 20

DIMAPUR — Pharmacies across Nagaland are expected to participate in a one-day nationwide bandh on May 20, called by the All India Organisation of Chemists and Druggists (AIOCD), in protest against what the association described as growing threats to the pharmaceutical trade and public health.

In a press release, the Nagaland Medicine Dealers Association (NMDA), affiliated to AIOCD, announced that the bandh will be observed from 6 am to 6 pm across the state.

According to the association, the protest has been called over several long-pending concerns, including the unchecked operation of illegal e-pharmacies, predatory pricing practices by large corporate players and the continued enforcement of certain government notifications issued during the Covid-19 period.

The association stated that the proliferation of unregulated e-pharmacies has led to the sale of medicines without valid prescriptions, misuse of prescriptions and easier access to antibiotics and habit-forming drugs, posing serious risks to patient safety.

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It also alleged that aggressive discounting by large corporate entities has created an uneven business environment, threatening the survival of small and medium chemists across the country.

The bandh, it stated, is aimed at urging authorities to take immediate corrective measures, ensure fair trade practices and safeguard both public health and the livelihood of more than 12 lakh chemists and their dependents nationwide.

In Nagaland, pharmacies attached to government and private hospitals and nursing homes will remain exempted from the bandh in order to meet emergency medical requirements.