The State Drugs Control Directorate has instructed district officials to ensure the availability of essential medicines for patients ahead of a one-day nationwide strike called by the All India Organisation of Chemists and Druggists (AIOCD) on May 20. The strike is being organized to press for several demands, including strict action against illegal e-pharmacies, withdrawal of a COVID-era notification that permits doorstep delivery of medicines, and curbs on predatory discounting by corporate entities, which independent chemists claim threatens their livelihood.
Helpline Numbers for Medicine Availability
To assist residents in case medicines are unavailable, the directorate has released contact numbers for various districts. In Chennai, individuals can reach out to the following officials: M Sugumaran at 9841477526, S Lakshmi at 9884464549, B Sathishkumar at 9841947955, M Dillibabu at 9884179301, and K Punitha at 9003003693. For Kancheepuram district, P Vijayan (9710313433) and M Yuvavrani (8220602642) are available. In Tiruvallur district, R Sasikumar (9092504267) and R Iyappan (7010704350) can be contacted.
Background of the Strike
The AIOCD, representing chemists and druggists across the country, has been vocal about the challenges posed by the rapid growth of online pharmacies. The organisation argues that illegal e-pharmacies compromise patient safety by selling medicines without proper prescriptions and quality checks. Additionally, they are demanding the rollback of a notification issued during the COVID-19 pandemic that allowed doorstep delivery of medicines, which they believe has facilitated the operations of unregulated online sellers. The issue of predatory discounting by large corporate chains is also a major concern, as it undercuts the business of small, independent pharmacy owners.
Authorities have urged the public not to panic and assured that adequate measures are in place to maintain the supply of essential drugs. Residents facing difficulties in obtaining medicines can contact the designated helpline numbers for assistance.
