Chemists in AP, Telangana support strike, shut shops

As many as 45,000 medical shops in both Andhra Pradesh and Telangana remained closed today as part of a nationwide chemists' strike called by the All India Organisation of Chemists & Druggists (AIOCD) demanding action from the Centre against "illegal" online sale of medicines.
"All the 25,000 outlets in Telangana and 20,000 outlets in Andhra Pradesh downed their shutters today. Only a few outlets located in some of the important hospitals are functioning today," Ramesh Gupta, president of AP Chemists and Druggists Association told PTI.
He said the bandh has been observed following the in action of the Centre in curbing the "illegal online sale" of medicines.

According to him, livelihood of nearly 4,00,000 people is dependent on the drug stores of both the states.
Gupta alleged the youth are having access to the illegal drug though online sales which may pose a threat to the nation.