As part of a nationwide strike called by the All India Organization of Chemists and Druggists (AIOCD), an estimated 40,000 medical shops remained closed in Tamil Nadu on Wednesday, sources said.
The association called for a one-day strike to protest illegal e-pharmacy operations and unfair pricing by major companies and others.
In view of the strike, hospital chain pharmacies, including Apollo, MedPlus, Tulasi and Muthu Pharmacy, as well as state-owned retail outlets such as Chief Minister Pharmacies, Tamil Nadu Cooperative Society Pharmacies and Chief Minister Jan Aushadhi Kendras, did not participate in the strike, the office of the Director, Drug Controller, Tamil Nadu said.
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Sources in the Tamil Nadu branch of the AIOCD said that around 40,000 pharmacies in the state participated in the strike.
As a result, about 5,000 pharmacies remain open on Wednesday, a notice from the office added.
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Accordingly, to ensure adequate and uninterrupted supply of medicines, the Narcotics Control Department has established district level helpline numbers. In addition, a total of 69 drug inspectors (at least two in each district) were deployed to closely monitor the availability of essential medicines, the operation of pharmacies and any public health issues arising during the strike.
