Medicine stores closed in Odisha protesting online sale of drugs

Bhubaneswar: Thousands of medicines stores on Friday remained closed in Odisha as it joined the nationwide strike called by the All India Organisation of Chemists and Druggists (AIOCD) to protest Centre’s move to regularise online sale of drugs.

Around 22,000 medicine stores across the state were shut in support of the strike.

However, the drug stores inside medical colleges and government-run hospitals will remain open.

Medicine stores and retailers shut their businesses across Odisha protesting against the decision of the Union Cabinet.

While the pharmacists have called for a day-long strike against the Centre’s decision to allow operation of E-pharmacies, the retailers are protesting against the approval to 100 per cent Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) in the retail sector.

Retail outlets and godowns remained closed across the country.