Eastern Mirror Desk
Dimapur, Sep. 27: Pharmacies and chemists in Nagaland will be closed on September 28 from 6 am to 6 pm in protest against the central government’s decision to allow e-marketing, or online sale, of medicines by a few entities in India.
The Nagaland Medicine Dealers’ Association (NMDA) has anounced the agitation in support of the all-India agitation called by its parent organisation, the All India Organisation of Chemist and Druggist.
The NMDA’s President Ato Yepthomi told this reporter that illegal drugs were being smuggled through ‘online pharmacies’ and illegal transactions were taking place, which he said was ‘interrupting the smooth functioning’ of traditional marketing.
Stating that selling medicines online was against the law, Yepthomi said that the government should ban online pharmaceutical businesses immediately.
The NMDA’s General Secretary Ashok Kr Singhal also asserted on Thursday the organisation’s stand against online pharmacies ‘because they are illegal and pose hazards to public health.’
“Many people can obtain medicines illegally. Besides, online pharmacies cannot carry out verification of the prescriptions. Their sole motive is to sell more medicines and make profits and as a result lead to many illegal transactions,” Singhal said. “It is a threat to the public health and the business of regular pharmacists in the country.”
The NMDA has requested its units in the districts to observe the ‘Bharat bandh’ on September 28. It has expressed regret for the inconvenience the agitation may cause to the public.
To meet emergency requirements, the government has listed out a number of pharmacies in each of the districts that will be open.
