Drug stores in Hyderabad are all set to down their shutters for one-day. Supporting the nationwide bandh call, the chemists and druggists in Hyderabad and elsewhere in Telangana State will take part in one-day strike on Wednesday, October 14. The protest is against sale of medicines online and Government of India’s apparent decision to regularise such sales through internet.

The members of Telangana Chemists and Druggists Association (TCDA) on Tuesday said that allowing sale of drugs through internet will create a lot of complications.

“Online availability of drugs will encourage irrational use of drugs, increase risk of adverse drug reaction, could make youth addicted because of easy accessibility. It will also encourage low quality, misbranded and spurious medicines,” the association members said.

There are close to 25,000 members of TCDA in Telangana State who are expected to take part in the one-day strike. “Drugs like I-pill, pregnancy termination kits, drugs meant for anti-depression and cough syrups are available online without prescription and confirming the authenticity of the patient,” said honorary general secretary, TCDA, R. Srinivas.