City druggists shut shop for the day

Almost all medical stores were closed from 10 am to 6 pm across the country in protest against the steep cut in profits as proposed in the new drug policy.

Published: 11th May 2013 09:55 AM  |   Last Updated: 11th May 2013 11:19 AM   |  A+A-

Bangalore_EPS_Pharma

Members of Bangalore District Chemists’ and Druggists’ Association (BDCDA) supported the nationwide strike called by the All India Chemists’ and Druggists’ Association on Friday by shutting down medical stores in protest against the steep cut in profits as proposed in the new drug policy.

Indian Pharmaceutical Association president Veera Narayan Gowda, said, “About 1,000 members assembled at Freedom Park demanding reduction in prices on wholesale and retail drugs, fixed by the Union government. Later, representatives from Bangalore handed over a memorandum of demands to State Drug Controller director Dr B R Jagashetty.”

Almost all medical stores were closed from 10 am to 6 pm across the country. “The protest is only partial, if our demands are not met, we will take the next step accordingly”, Gowda said.

In view of the inconvenience caused to the public,  the Association asked drug store owners to open shop in the evening.

Doctors of Pharmacy Association president Katam Sai Kumar, said, “They have demanded that people who do not have knowledge about pharmacy and its implications be allowed to sell medicines at shops. People’s health  will be at stake and pharmacy will be devalued, hence we will not support them.”

Dr B R Jagashetty, said, “Druggists feel that the prices of retail and wholesale drugs will be slashed and their percentage will be affected, but it is not true. They have given a memorandum with demands like declaring a medical store owner who has five years’ experience as pharmacist, no foreign direct investment in drug and pharmacy sector. We will send it to Delhi.”



Comments

Disclaimer : We respect your thoughts and views! But we need to be judicious while moderating your comments. All the comments will be moderated by the newindianexpress.com editorial. Abstain from posting comments that are obscene, defamatory or inflammatory, and do not indulge in personal attacks. Try to avoid outside hyperlinks inside the comment. Help us delete comments that do not follow these guidelines.

The views expressed in comments published on newindianexpress.com are those of the comment writers alone. They do not represent the views or opinions of newindianexpress.com or its staff, nor do they represent the views or opinions of The New Indian Express Group, or any entity of, or affiliated with, The New Indian Express Group. newindianexpress.com reserves the right to take any or all comments down at any time.

flipboard facebook twitter whatsapp