Guwahati: Patients and their families faced significant distress across Assam on Wednesday as pharmacies remained closed in solidarity with a nationwide strike called by the All India Organisation of Chemists and Druggists (AIOCD). The strike, which saw the participation of over 80% of the state's 20,000 pharmacies and medicine distributors, was organized to protest against the unregulated sale of medicines online and other related demands.
Patients Struggle Amid Shutdown
Sukumar Bharali from Maligaon, who was searching for medicine for his father suffering from liver cirrhosis, expressed his shock at finding all pharmacies shut. After a frantic search, he finally found relief at the Gauhati Medical College and Hospital (GMCH). Similarly, Arati Das from Mirza faced a difficult time while seeking medicine for her sick child. She emphasized that pharmacies are integral to healthcare and called the bandh a matter of life and death, echoing the frustration of many affected by the daylong shutdown.
Massive Participation in Strike
The Chemists & Druggists Association of Assam (CDAA), affiliated with AIOCD, declared the strike a major success. CDAA president NL Agarwala stated that more than 20,000 members across Assam joined the protest. In a joint statement, Agarwala and CDAA secretary Haladhar Deka highlighted that medicines are not ordinary commodities and that uncontrolled online sales without proper verification pose a grave threat to public health, patient safety, and the regulatory framework established under the Drugs and Cosmetics Act.
While the Assam Drug Dealers' Association (ADDA) opposed the 24-hour nationwide shutdown, citing severe effects on patients and disruption of healthcare services, it reiterated its opposition to online medicine sales. The strike remained largely peaceful, though some pharmacy owners associated with ADDA alleged they were forced to close by strike supporters.
Exceptions and Emergency Services
Pharmacies located within hospital premises, including those in Guwahati, remained open. CDAA office-bearers noted that 10 to 15 private pharmacies in Guwahati stayed open to meet emergency needs. Across the state, more than 500 pharmacies remained operational, including those in nursing homes, private and government hospitals, medical college hospitals, and outlets kept open by the CDAA to provide relief to patients.
Memorandum to Prime Minister
During the strike, a memorandum addressed to Prime Minister Narendra Modi was submitted through district commissioners and sub-divisional officers. It highlighted three key demands: to stop the illegal and unregulated online sale of medicines, to prevent the sale and home delivery of medicines without valid and verified prescriptions, and to curb predatory deep discounting practices by online medicine platforms that adversely affect small and licensed chemists.
The protesters also demanded the immediate withdrawal of two notifications issued by the Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare regarding e-pharmacies and online medicine sales — GSR 817(E) and GSR 220(E). They alleged that these notifications are being misused by online platforms and quick-commerce operators for unchecked medicine delivery.
Appeal to Central Government
Pharmaceutical traders recalled that chemists across the country worked tirelessly during the Covid pandemic as frontline healthcare support providers, ensuring uninterrupted medicine supply. Despite repeated representations and evidence of illegal online operations, the authorities have not taken effective action. The chemist fraternity appealed to the Central government to take immediate corrective steps in the interest of patient safety, public health, and the protection of lakhs of small licensed chemists and their employees.
