Chemist shops to remain closed today

LUCKNOW : Medicine stores will remain closed on Friday in protest against online pharmacy. A few Jan Aushadhi Kendras at major government hospitals and pharmacies at private hospitals will be the only options for people to purchase medicines on the day. “The government has failed to understand the threats from online medicine trade, the biggest being use of fake prescriptions to obtain narcotic drugs,” said an official.

LUCKNOW : Medicine stores will remain closed on Friday in protest against online pharmacy.

A few Jan Aushadhi Kendras at major government hospitals and pharmacies at private hospitals will be the only options for people to purchase medicines on the day.

“About 8.5 lakh medicine traders in the country, who are members of the All-India Organisation of Chemists and Druggists (AIOCD) will keep their shops closed, while in UP about 60,000 retailers and over 50,000 wholesalers will keep shops closed,” said Suresh Kumar, spokesperson, Chemists and Druggists Federation, UP (CDFUP).

“The government has failed to understand the threats from online medicine trade, the biggest being use of fake prescriptions to obtain narcotic drugs by addicts,” said Suresh Gupta, general

A FEW JAN AUSHADHI KENDRAS AND PHARMACIES AT PRIVATE HOSPTALS WILL BE THE ONLY OPTIONS FOR PEOPLE TO PURCHASE MEDICINES ON THE DAY

secretary, CDFUP.

AIOCD claims under online system no one will come to know whether the medicines being given are genuine or bogus and the entire system will run with the help of courier boys and not pharmacists.

“Daily wagers often buy medicines as per their purchasing capacity, in installments, for a prescribed period. This facility will not be given under online trade,” said Giriraj Rastogi, patron, CDFUP.