Nagaland chemists to observe bandh on September 28

Eastern Mirror Desk
Dimapur, Sep. 20: Opposing the central government’s decision to allow the practice of online pharmacies in India, the Nagaland Medicine Dealers’ Association (NMDA) has announced to participate in the nationwide bandh on September 28 across the state.
NMDA has initiated the bandh in compliance to the call given by the All India Organisation of Chemists and Druggists (AIOCD).
“All the medical stores will remain closed from 6 am to 6 pm on September 28 in Nagaland.

The decision was taken as per the directives given by AIOCD, against the central government’s decision to allow e-marketing or online sale of medicine,” the statement informed on Thursday.

According to NMDA president, Ato Yepthomi, so many illegal drugs have been smuggled due to online pharmacies and many illegal transactions have been taking place, which is interrupting the smooth functioning of traditional marketing. “The online sale is against the law, the government should ban them immediately,” Yepthomi said.

NMDA general secretary, Ashok Kr Singhal, informed Eastern Mirror on Thursday that NMDA is against online pharmacies because they are illegal and dangerous to the public health.

“Many people can obtain medicines illegally. Online pharmacies cannot carry out verification of the prescriptions; also their motive is to sell more medicines and make profits which has led to many illegal transactions,” Singhal said.

“When customers come to our shops we first verify the authenticity of the prescriptions and provide medicines accordingly.
We also examine their physical status and accordingly recommend medicines to them which are not possible with the online pharmacies,” Ashok maintained.

Stating that the online sale of medicines are leading to sale of narcotics and habit forming medicines which are dangerous to health, Singhal said that the online sale of medicine should not be encouraged by the central government. “It is because they don’t have an authority to strictly monitor their trade, unlike the traditional marketing, which is monitored by an authority,” Singhal stated.

The general secretary further mentioned that the practice of online pharmacies would lead to irrational competition between the traditional marketing and the online sale.

Singhal lamented that online marketing provides discounts on almost all the medicines, sometimes even amounting to 40% discount.
“It is a threat to the public health and the business of regular pharmacists in the country,” Singhal added.

Mentioning that online pharmacies cannot have physical interaction and examination with patients, the general secretary critically stated that online pharmacies would lead to wrong medication in many circumstances.

However, Singhal stated that the traditional marketing carry out personal examination apart from the prescriptions they produce and counsel with them whenever necessary.

The NMDA has requested all the unit presidents and secretaries of NMDA in all the districts to observe the ‘Bharat Bandh’ on September 27.