Chemists and druggists in the Union Territory are set to join a shutdown on May 20 as part of a nationwide strike called by the All India Organisation of Chemists and Druggists to highlight their concerns, including that on online sale of medicines.

The Pondicherry State Chemists and Druggists Association in a release said around 12.5 lakh chemists have decided to observe a token shutdown on May 20 against the Central government’s apathy in addressing their grievances. The association has decided to join the nationwide protest, the release said.

Memoranda demanding government intervention in addressing issues were submitted to the Prime Minister and the Ministries concerned. However, there was no favourable response to the various issues raised by the association, the release said. 

One of the major concerns, the release said was about the online sale of medicines without any regulatory control. The online sale of medicines was loaded with huge risk, including easy availability of antibiotics and habit-forming medicines. The decision would also adversely impact the livelihood of around 5 crore people dependent on pharmaceutical business in the country, the release added. 

The association was also concerned about the “predatory” pricing by large companies. Heavy discounts beyond the margins prescribed under Drug Price Control Order/National Pharmaceutical Pricing Authority would create market imbalance and monopolistic tendencies, the release said.