Bhubaneswar: The Directorate of Drugs Control, Odisha, has directed all drug inspectors across the state to take immediate measures to ensure uninterrupted supply of medicines ahead of the nationwide strike called by the All-India Organisation of Chemists and Druggists (AIOCD) on May 20.

In a letter issued to drug inspectors, the Directorate asked officials to closely monitor the availability and supply of essential and life-saving drugs in their respective jurisdictions. The department has also instructed hospitals and clinical establishments to keep their in-house pharmacies, including 24x7 medicine stores, fully functional with adequate manpower to meet public demand during the strike.

The communication stated that officers should coordinate with wholesalers and distributors to ensure advance stocking of medicines before the strike. Drug inspectors have also been asked to work with district administrations and local police authorities to facilitate the opening and operation of intended chemist shops wherever required.

The Directorate further directed officials to maintain communication with local chemist associations to avoid disruption in medicine distribution and dispensing during emergency situations. Special emphasis has been placed on remote areas, where chemists have been advised to ensure advance dispensing of medicines to patients suffering from chronic illnesses such as diabetes, hypertension, asthma, epilepsy, cardiac ailments and cancer.

The letter also instructed officers to submit real-time reports on any disruption in the medicine supply chain. Additionally, officials have been told not to leave headquarters on the day of the bandh without prior approval from the competent authority.

Reason for the strike

The AIOCD, which represents nearly 12.4 lakh chemists, pharmacists and drug distributors across the country, has called for the strike to protest against the functioning of e-pharmacies and instant medicine delivery platforms.

The association alleged that several online medicine platforms are operating without adequate regulatory oversight. It has raised concerns over patient safety, claiming that some platforms are dispensing medicines based on fake or improperly verified prescriptions, including prescriptions issued by unregistered practitioners.

The organisation has also objected to deep discounting and pricing practices adopted by large corporate-backed e-pharmacies. According to the association, discounts of over 50 per cent offered by some online platforms are creating unfair competition and threatening the survival of small pharmacies across the country.