Getting medicines on Friday could prove to be a challenge as most drug stores plan to shut shop in support of the countrywide strike called by All India Chemists’ and Druggists’ Association.

Chemists have promised that they would provide drugs in emergency cases. But for others, it might end up being a headache without a balm.

Why are chemists going on strike?

They are opposed to the provision of the Drug and Cosmetic Act, 1940, according to which there must be a pharmacist at every medicine shop. Chemists said that in that event they would have to pay Rs 5,000-10,000 every month to a pharmacist.

They claim that people selling medicines for four to five years have enough experience and there was no need to hire a pharmacist in such cases.

They also want the authorities to not charge them if any medicine they sold was found to be spurious. Instead, they want the manufacturer to be charged, and chemists to be treated as witnesses in the case. The chemists are also opposed to foreign direct investment in the pharmaceutical sector. Reason: International pharmacists would be able to sell patented medicines at higher rates.

What will be the situation in Patna?

The Patna unit of Bihar Chemists’ and Druggists’ Association has extended its support to the strike. But members of the association have promised to provide medicines in case of emergencies.

“We have decided to not close any medicine shop situated on the premises of private nursing homes and medical colleges,” said Ramesh Kumar Sinha, general secretary of Bihar Chemists’ and Druggists’ Association, Patna.

He added: “We can also open any shop if there is any emergency. People juts need to call us.” (See graphic)

District magistrate N. Saravana Kumar has also asked the heads of all government medical colleges and civil surgeons to stock up on life-saving drugs.

Focus on districts

Purnea: The district unit of Bihar Chemists’ and Druggists’ Association has decided to keep two shops — Dokania Medicines and Sons at Line Bazaar and Guddu Medical Hall on Bihar Talkies Road — open to provide medicine in cases of emergency.

Darbhanga: Emergency and life-saving drugs would be available at Darbhanga Medical College and Hospital and primary health centres, said civil surgeon Dr Uday Kumar Chaudhary.

Gaya: Drug inspector Shambhu Nath Thakur has sent a letter to the district unit of Bihar Chemists’ and Druggists’ Association to keep at least one shop open near the three hospitals in the district — Anugrah Narayan Magadh Medical College and Hospital, Jaiprakash Narayan Hospital and Prabhawati Hospital — and 24 primary health centres. The chemists are yet to take a decision in this regard.

Muzaffarpur: The district unit of Bihar Chemists’ and Druggists’ Association has decided to keep all shops closed during the strike. The administration would take necessary steps to make medicines available at Shri Krishna Medical College and Hospital and other government health hubs.

Bhagalpur: Bihar Chemists’ and Druggists’ Association’s Bhagalpur unit has not yet decided what arrangement would be made to cater to emergency patients here. Civil surgeon Dr Uday Chaudhary said that patients and their relatives do not need to worry and all government hospitals would have sufficient stock of medicines.

East Champaran and West Champaran: The chemists have decided to keep at least one medicine shop open in each panchayat.

Three medicine shops would supply emergency drugs in Motihari and Bettiah, the district headquarters of East Champaran and West Champaran respectively.

The administration in the two districts has issued directions to officials concerned to ensure that those in need of medicines did not face any trouble

Saran: In each locality of Chhapra, the district headquarters, at least one shop would be open, said Bihar Chemists’ and Druggists’ Association district vice-president Laxman Prasad.

The administration is not taking any chances either. Civil surgeon Dr Vinay Kumar said: “Sufficient stock of emergency drugs would be available at the Chhapra Sadar Hospital to cater to the needs of patients.”

After a meeting with health department secretary Sanjay Kumar and state drug controller Hemant Sinha on Thursday afternoon, the Bihar Chemists’ and Druggists’ Association issued directives to all its district units to ensure the supply of emergency drugs.

“We have asked the district units to provide phone numbers of medicine wholesalers to all the hospitals in the district so that the supply of emergency drugs can be ensured,” association president Parsam Kumar Singh told The Telegraph.

While residents of the state capital and the larger towns are unlikely to suffer because of the strike, those living in smaller towns like Arwal and Jehanabad might find themselves in a soup on account of the strike.