Panaji: Nearly 600 medical stores in Goa will remain closed on May 20 as they join in the nationwide strike called by the All India Organisation of Chemists and Druggists over online sale of medicines, alleged unfair trade practices and the growing impact of e-pharmacies on small retailers.
“Chemists and druggists across the country had no option left but to observe a nationwide token strike as the central government had failed to resolve their issues,” said Chemists and Druggists Association of Goa (CDAG) president Amit Kamat, on Friday, while talking to reporters while announcing their participation in the strike.
While most medical stores across Goa are expected to remain closed for the day, pharmacies
operating within hospitals will continue services to avoid inconvenience to patients requiring emergency medicines and healthcare support.
“The agitation is intended to draw the attention of the central government to long-pending concerns raised by offline medicine retailers,” said Kamat.
The associations have alleged that online pharmacy platforms are engaging in deep discounting practices, creating unequal market conditions for traditional chemist shops.
The protesting bodies also flagged the alleged sale of medicines without proper prescription verification, warning that unrestricted access to certain drugs through online platforms could pose risks to public health and patient safety.
According to the associations, small and independent chemist shops across the country are facing increasing pressure due to the rapid expansion of e-pharmacies and online medicine delivery services. They have demanded stricter regulation of online drug sales and implementation of clear rules governing the operation of e-pharmacies.
The nationwide shutdown call is expected to impact more than 12 lakh chemist shops across India. Goa chemists have appealed to the public to purchase essential medicines in advance and cooperate with the one-day protest.
Kamat also urged the public to purchase regular medicines before May 20 and appealed to people to contact him or the secretary if any emergency medicine is required on that day so that arrangements can be made through their respective medical outlets.
CDAG secretary Prasad Tamba said there are nearly 600 medical stores in Goa.
