Pharmacies urged to remain closed from 6:00 am to 6:00 pm on May 10
DIMAPUR, MAY 4 (MExN): The Nagaland Medicine Dealers Association has informed that it will observe the nationwide bandh on May 10 in support of the All India Organizations of Chemists and Druggist’s demands submitted to the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare. A press note stated that the NMDA has resolved to join hands with the AIOCD for their “long standing demands.”
It may be noted that the demands submitted by the AIOCD appeals for consideration of the rising operational costs to maintain the trade margins of medicines and to not reduce it in the forth coming Drugs (Price Control) Order 2013. The organization also demands the amendment of Rule 65(15) C of the Drugs and Cosmetics rule to permit the partner/proprietor as a qualified person to dispense the medicines.
It further demands for relief under section 19 of the aforementioned act to dealers “who may have acted with bona fide intentions, if he submits valid documents of transactions.” The demand adds that the administration in such a case should not prosecute him till guilt can be proved. It also demands that FDI should not be permitted in distributions and retailing of medicines.
A memorandum containing the demands had been forwarded to all concerned authorities including the Prime Minister, state Chief Ministers, the Finance Minister, Minister for Health and Family Welfare, Minister of Petroleum and Chemicals, the Drugs Controller General of India, state Dugs Controllers and Chiefs of all political parties
In view of the bandh, the NMDA has requested all chemists across the state to cooperate with the AIOCD and keep the pharmacies closed from 6:00 am to 6:00 pm on May 10. The NMDA has also suggested to the chemist fraternity of different districts to identify one chemist shop in two main localities of the town to meet the emergency services of patients.
