Phagwara chemists back nationwide strike against online medicine sales, submit memorandum to MP Chabbewal

Responding to the nationwide strike call given by All India Organisation of Chemists and Druggists, chemists across Phagwara observed a complete shutdown of their businesses on Wednesday in protest against the online sale of medicines and deep discount practices adopted by large retail chains.

During the protest, representatives of the Kapurthala District Chemists Association and Phagwara Chemists Association, under the joint leadership of District President Rakesh Aggarwal, Chairman VP Singh Arora and Phagwara President Som Parkash, submitted a memorandum to Dr Raj Kumar Chabbewal at the local Rest House.

The association members highlighted that the growing trend of online medicine sales and heavy discounts offered by major retail brands were severely affecting the livelihood of local chemists. They also raised serious concerns regarding the alleged online distribution of narcotic and counterfeit medicines, stating that several digital platforms were supplying medicines without proper verification or valid medical prescriptions, posing a significant threat to public health.

Addressing the issue, District Secretary Vineet Gaba stated that many online companies were delivering medicines without following adequate regulatory checks. He alleged that fake and habit-forming drugs were being made available through online channels without strict monitoring, thereby endangering consumers.

Phagwara Chemists Association President Som Parkash demanded a complete ban on online sale of medicines and also called for strict inspection of Jan Aushadhi centres. The association leaders further expressed resentment over certain decisions being taken by both the Central and State Governments, which they claimed were adversely impacting medicine dealers across the country. Protesters also raised slogans against the Central Government during the agitation.

The association warned that if their demands were not addressed promptly, the agitation would be intensified in the coming days.

Meanwhile, Member of Parliament Dr Raj Kumar Chabbewal assured the chemists that their genuine concerns would be strongly raised in Parliament and that the memorandum would be forwarded to the Central Government for appropriate consideration.

Despite the strike, emergency services remained uninterrupted, and special care was taken to ensure that critically ill patients did not face inconvenience.

Among those present on the occasion were Pankaj Lamba, Rashpal Rai Bawa, Santosh Gogi, Manish Singla Rocky, Tarun Aggarwal, Mukesh Bansal, Ishan Pasricha, Puneet Handa, Rinku Bansal, Jaspal Singh, Neeraj Gupta, Ajay Chhabra and Ravi Garg, along with a large number of chemists from the region.