The Food and Drugs Administration (FDA) has set up control rooms across eight Marathwada districts ahead of a nationwide chemists' strike on Wednesday to ensure patients can access essential medicines during the shutdown.
V V Nangare, the FDA assistant commissioner (Drugs), said patients facing difficulty in procuring medicines should immediately contact designated district officials. “If patients are unable to procure medicines during the shutdown period of medicine shops, or if a need for essential medicines arises, they should contact the officials appointed in their respective districts,” he said.
According to an official release, control room contact numbers have been activated in Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar (8983290162, 7387561343, 9021899018), Jalna (8379016068), Parbhani (9405783636), Hingoli (9405783636), Beed (9423749616), Nanded (8369027068), Dharashiv (8275175232, 8830801806) and Latur (8275175232).
The strike has been called by the All India Organisation of Chemists and Druggists to protest against alleged unregulated online sale of medicines, deep discounts offered by e-pharmacies and certain govt policies.
Sheikh Muhammad Naaz, a chemist from Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar, said the protest would serve as a warning. “We will escalate the agitation if need arises. Govt will be responsible if any harm is caused to patients,” he said.
Authorities said the control rooms will remain operational to handle emergencies and ensure timely access to medicines during the strike period.
