The Visakhapatnam District Drug Trade Association has announced a one-day strike on May 20, following the call of the All India Organisation of Chemists and Druggists. The strike is in protest against several critical issues plaguing the pharmaceutical sector, including AI-generated fake prescriptions, ghost doctors, fake online consultations, unknown prescribers, illegal sale of controlled and sensitive medicines, lack of prescription verification, repeated use of the same prescription, addition of habit-forming medicines among the youth, antibiotic misuse and the threat of antimicrobial resistance (AMR), and threats to the pharmacy profession.
Strike Details and Exemptions
Association president V. Seetarmaiah and V. Ramachandra Rao confirmed that all government and private hospitals, corporate hospitals, nursing homes, pharmacies, doctor-attached pharmacies, Jeevandhara Sanjeevini medical shops, and all generic medical shops will remain open to serve the public and patients. In case of emergencies, two shops at King George Hospital (KGH) and the Seethammadhara area will be kept operational. Additionally, for emergency NDPS (Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances) drugs, one shop each opposite Hotel Daspalla, Madhurawada, Gopalapatnam, Pendurthy, Gajuwaka, and Bheemili will be arranged.
Background and Concerns
The decision to strike stems from growing concerns over the proliferation of fake prescriptions generated by artificial intelligence, which bypasses proper medical oversight. Ghost doctors—fictitious or unregistered practitioners—are also contributing to the issue, along with fake online consultations that lack verification. The illegal sale of controlled substances and the misuse of antibiotics further exacerbate public health risks, leading to antimicrobial resistance. The repeated use of the same prescription and the addition of habit-forming medicines among the youth are additional worries for the association.
The association emphasizes that the strike is not intended to inconvenience the public, as emergency services will be maintained. They urge all stakeholders to address these issues to safeguard the integrity of the pharmacy profession and public health.
