Consult chemists before finalising list of over-the-counter medicines

The chemists and druggists’ association has written a letter to the Union Home Minister appealing that the list of over-the-counter (OTC) medicines should be finalised only after consultation with the stakeholders.

Surinder Duggal of the All Indian Chemists and Druggists Organisation (AICDO) said the government had given some relaxations in the list of medicines for over-the-counter sale during the Covid-19 pandemic considering the problem being faced by patients.

He said the same relaxation is being used by some online pharmacies in making home delivery of medicines. The organisation has also demanded from the Health Minister to suspend the order which was passed during the period of the Covid-19 pandemic to deal with the emergency.

Duggal said chemist shops sell certain kinds of medicines to customers in the presence of a qualified pharmacist and that too after he produces a prescription from a qualified doctor. He said online pharmacies are ignoring all these laws meant to protect misuse of medicines.

The association said there are over 12 lakh chemist shops in the country who have been supplying medicines to the public. It demanded that the representative body of the chemists should be consulted before finalising the list of medicines for over the counter sale.