Shillong, May 7: Joining the rest of the Chemists and Druggists in the country, the chemist of the state under the umbrella of the Meghalaya Healthcare Association (MHA) will observe the one-day bandh called by the All India Organization of Chemists and Druggists (AIOCD) on May 10.
Addressing a press conference on Tuesday, Vice President of MHA, David Kharsati said that the state association would join hands with its parent body and support the one-day token strike on May 10
The agitation will be against the unjustified Government policies and its impact on the fraternity of medicine dealers engaged in its distribution, Kharsati added.
Further, Kharsati also informed that the main objective for observing the bandh, Kharsati said that the bandh will be called in order to press upon their cahrter of demands.
Their charter of demands is to maintain the trade margins of medicines and not reduce it in the forth-coming Drugs (Price Control) Order 2013. Secondly to resolve the long pending issue of shortage of Pharmacists and suitably amend Rule 65 (15) of Drugs and Cosmetics Rule to permit the partner/proprietor as a qualified person to dispense the medicines. Thirdly to give relief under section 19 of the Drugs and Cosmetics Act 1940, to the innocent dealer who may have acted with bona fide intentions, of he submits valid documents of transactions. Administration should not prosecute him till his guilt can be proved and the last being Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) should not be permitted in distribution and retailing of medicines as there are families of 25 lakhs (More than 1 Crore populations) employees are subsiding on this livelihoos through employment in this sector.
Besides, he also stated that the agitation programme which includes Dharna and Morcha will be joined by more than 7.5 lakh chemists from all corner of the nation in the nation capital.
“From Meghalaya two representatives will join in the Morcha,” Kharsati stated.(SP News)
Doctor of Pharmcy Association doesn’t not support this Bandh called by AIOCD and other organizations as their second demand is against the Pharmacists.