Ailing feel the pinch as chemists down shutters

CHANDIGARH: Members of the Tricity Chemists Association went on a day-long strike in solidarity with the protest being held by the All India Association of Chemists and Druggists against online pharmacies.
As many as 600 pharmacies and chemist shops from Chandigarh and about a 1,000 from Panchkula and Mohali collectively downed shutters to protest against the surge in sale of medicines from online pharmacies.According to the protesting chemist shop owners, there has been a significant increase in sales of online pharmacies over the last three years.
The strike began on the intervening night of September 27 and 28 and is expected to last at least 24 hours, if not more. This has caused a serious problem for people dealing with health issues, who are finding it very difficult to buy medicines which are otherwise easily available.
"My aunt has been undergoing treatment in PGI for three days and is in need of medicines. Due to the strike in Panchkula, I came to Chandigarh to purchase medicines, but did not get them. Now, I am going to Mohali," said Prince, a hassled customer.
Deeksha Puri, a resident of Sector-4, Panchkula, said, "I have a 10-year-old daughter who is an Asthma patient and I am not getting medicine required for her throughout the tricity. This is a serious issue. Such strikes should not happen and if they do, some alternative should be given to emergency patients like my daughter. My child is suffering right now and she has nothing to do with the government and their decisions."