Bhubaneswar: The Directorate of Drugs Control in Odisha has instructed drug inspectors across the state to take immediate steps to prevent any disruption in the availability of medicines in view of the proposed nationwide strike called by All-India Organisation of Chemists and Druggists (AIOCD) on May 20.
In an official letter to drug inspectors, the Directorate has mandated close monitoring of stocks of essential and life-saving drugs in their respective areas. Hospitals and clinical establishments have been directed to keep their in-house pharmacies, including round-the-clock outlets, fully operational with sufficient staff to handle public demand during the strike period.
The department has also asked officials to coordinate with wholesalers and distributors to ensure advance stocking of medicines. Drug inspectors are expected to work closely with district administrations and local police to facilitate the opening and functioning of selected chemist shops as and when required.
Additionally, authorities have been told to maintain regular communication with local chemist associations to minimise any interruptions in medicine distribution, particularly during emergencies. Special attention has been given to remote and rural areas, where chemists have been advised to provide advance supplies to patients with chronic conditions such as diabetes, hypertension, asthma, epilepsy, cardiac diseases, and cancer.
Officials have been asked to submit real-time reports on any emerging issues in the medicine supply chain.
Drug inspectors have further been barred from leaving their headquarters on the day of the strike without prior permission from senior authorities.
Reason Behind the Strike
The strike by AIOCD, which represents nearly 12.4 lakh chemists, pharmacists and drug distributors across the country, is expected to affect medicine supply for the day in several parts of India. The protest is aimed at drawing attention to regulatory gaps, which according to it, have allowed e-pharmacies and instant medicine delivery platforms to operate without adequate oversight.
The association has demanded that the government withdraw two notifications — GSR 220(E) and GSR 817(E).
It argues that these provisions have effectively allowed online pharmacies to function in a legal grey area, without a comprehensive regulatory framework governing how they verify prescriptions, dispense medicines and are held accountable for violations. It has also criticised the aggressive deep-discounting strategies employed by large corporate-backed e-pharmacies. Discounts exceeding 50 per cent, according to the AIOCD, create an uneven playing field and pose an existential threat to small, traditional pharmacies across the country.
