The All India Organisation of Chemists and Druggists (AIOCD) have decided to go ahead with a nationwide strike on September 28, terming the online sale of medicines and e-pharmacy as illegal and unsafe. Maharashtra Chemists Call For Protest on July 16 Against Online Sale of Medicines 'Illegally'.

The organisation had earlier warned the government that if the government fails to meet their demands, they would organise a nationwide strike.

The organisation has demanded that the Centre should consider their request of regulating sale of drugs online. The AIOCD has also told government to introduce laws and look into their concerns associated with the online sale of drugs and e-pharmacy.

The Times of India in its report quoted Anil Navander, secretary of Maharashtra State Chemists and Druggists Association (MSCDA) claiming that the biggest point of contention is that online sale of medicines are given without verifying authenticity of the prescription.

Navander added that the e-pharmacy sites were putting the life of consumers in danger. There are also claims from the organisation that most of the prescriptions used to get medicine from online  shops are self-generated. Chemists Association of Chandigarh, Panchkula and Mohali have also announced their support for the September 28 bandh.

"We are observing one day strike on Friday, September 28, to protest any move by the government allowing sale of medicines through internet or allowing e-pharmacies to operate in India in any form," AIOCD said in a statement.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Sep 26, 2018 05:49 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).