Pharmacy association heeds to government request, calls off strike

“While the protests were supposed to go on for 24 hours, we called off the protests by 6 pm on Friday following request by the State government, said Natarajan Thaneermalai, secretary, Chemists and Druggists Association, Chennai; and the chairman (Retail Wing) of State Chemists and Druggists Association.

“We had also announced a few helpline numbers, especially that of the Drug Department, to ensure that the public is not inconvenienced by the strike. Besides, we also had one or two pharmacies open in case any emergency cases were reported,” added Thaneermalai. 

The association had welcomed the move to legalise e-pharmacies with a series of protests, from black badges to shutters down, as part of the agitations. “We are hoping for a positive result. The State government is also supporting our cause and have assured to take it up. However, if we don’t, the All India Association of Chemists and Druggists will go on a three-day strike in December,” Thaneermalai said.