Health services hit as chemists go on strike

GURDASPUR/PATHANKOT: Chemists across the state observed a daylong strike by keeping the shutters of their shops down on Friday to protest against the online sale of medicines.

Chemists in Gurdaspur also alleged harassment meted out to them by the administration under the state government’s latest healthcare programme.

The strike hit the patient care as they failed to get medicines as prescribed by doctors.

Gurdaspur district chemists' association president Satish Kapoor said the they had informed the locals well in time about the Friday’s strike.

He said that under its drive against drug abuse, the state government had conducted raids at over 1,200 chemist shops in 22 districts of Punjab, “but objectionable drugs were found in bulk at only four shops”.

He said the public reputation of genuine chemists was damaged with such “unwanted” raids. He also demanded that online sale of drugs be banned as it could prove to be dangerous.

JAKHAR ASSURES SUPPORT

Chemists in Pathankot too observed strike on the call of All India Organisation of Chemists and Druggists (AIOCD) with about 550 shops remaining closed. A memorandum was also handed over to Pathankot MLA Amit Vij’s father, who holds the post of district Congress president.

Gurdaspur MP Sunil Jakhar heard the grievances of delegations over phone and assured to extend help to the chemists’ bodies.

Pathankot DC Ramvir said he will convey their message to Union health minister JP Nadda.

Ravinder Wasan, a patient from Dharamshala, Himachal Pradesh, claimed that he had come to buy few medicines needed urgently but due to no chemist shop being open, he would have to come again on Saturday.