The All India Organisation of Chemists and Druggists (AIOCD) is observing a nationwide strike on Wednesday, a move that is expected to disrupt medicine supply in several parts of the country, including Odisha.
The association stated that the bandh has been called to highlight alleged regulatory loopholes that have enabled e-pharmacies and instant medicine delivery platforms to operate without sufficient oversight.
Odisha Government Announces Emergency Arrangements
In response to the nationwide strike call, the Health & Family Welfare Department Odisha has announced a series of measures to ensure uninterrupted access to emergency and life-saving medicines across the state.
According to information provided by the Drugs Controller of Odisha, multiple healthcare and pharmacy services will continue functioning normally during the strike period.
Services That Will Remain Operational
The state government said the following facilities and services will remain available:
- All Niramaya Centres in government health institutions will continue dispensing medicines under the supervision of CDM & PHOs
- Medicine stores located inside hospital campuses will remain open
- All Pradhan Mantri Bharatiya Janaushadhi Pariyojana Kendras (PMBJKs) will function normally
- In-house pharmacies and 24×7 medicine stores attached to hospitals and clinical establishments will continue operations
- Corporate-run chemist shops not affiliated with AIOCD are expected to remain open
Monitoring Teams Deployed
The government has also directed Drugs Inspectors and Assistant Drugs Controllers to closely monitor the availability and supply of essential medicines across Odisha.
Officials have been instructed to coordinate with wholesalers and distributors to ensure adequate advance stock and avoid shortages during the strike.
Local chemist associations have also been requested to support uninterrupted medicine dispensing during emergency situations.
Special Advisory For Chronic Patients
Authorities have advised chemists in remote and rural areas to ensure advance dispensing of medicines for patients suffering from chronic illnesses such as:
- Diabetes
- Hypertension
- Asthma
- Cardiac ailments
- Epilepsy
- Cancer
- Other serious diseases
The move aims to prevent inconvenience to patients who require regular medication and uninterrupted treatment.
Concern Over E-Pharmacies
The strike by AIOCD comes amid growing concerns raised by traditional chemist associations regarding the rapid expansion of online pharmacy platforms and instant medicine delivery services.
The organisation has alleged that inadequate regulation of such services may impact fair trade practices and patient safety standards.
Despite the bandh, the Odisha government has assured citizens that emergency healthcare services and access to essential medicines will remain unaffected.
