Ranchi: The nationwide strike called by chemists against online sale of medicines had a widespread impact across Jharkhand on Wednesday, with medical stores remaining closed throughout the state.
The shutdown caused major inconvenience to patients and their families, who were seen moving from one shop to another in search of essential medicines since morning. Elderly patients, those suffering from serious illnesses, and parents of young children were among the worst affected.
Chemists said the increasing sale of medicines through online platforms is severely affecting the business of local medical stores. They alleged that several online companies are violating norms and offering heavy discounts on medicines, creating a financial crisis for traditional pharmacy owners. In protest against this, medicine shop owners jointly called for the shutdown.
What Chemists Said
The impact of the strike was clearly visible around major hospitals in the state capital as well. Patients visiting hospitals for treatment faced difficulties in purchasing medicines prescribed by doctors, forcing many to return without buying the required drugs.
Families of patients admitted to hospitals also struggled to arrange essential injections, life-saving medicines, and daily-use drugs due to the closure of medical stores.
Meanwhile, chemists said their protest was not intended to trouble patients but to safeguard their business and future livelihood. They demanded that the government introduce stricter regulations on online medicine sales and take steps to protect the interests of local pharmacy owners.