National Chemists’ Executive Meet Begins on Sunday

Udaipur: A significant meeting of the national executive of the All India Organisation of Chemists and Druggists will commence at the Udaipur Marriott Hotel under the aegis of the Rajasthan Chemist Alliance. Around 300 representatives from across the country are expected to participate in the deliberations concerning pressing issues affecting the pharmaceutical trade.

Providing details, Rajasthan Chemist Alliance President and AIOCD Vice President Arvind Gupta stated that the meeting would focus on key national concerns related to the pharmaceutical business. Senior office bearers including AIOCD President J.S. Sindhe, General Secretary Rajeev Singhal, and Organising Secretary Sandeep Nangia will also attend the discussions.

The meeting will particularly address digitalisation of the pharmaceutical sector, ensuring transparency and organisation in trade, and the growing challenge of illegal medicine sales through online pharmacies. The gathering has been organised to safeguard the interests, unity, and welfare of the chemist community and the pharmaceutical distribution network.

Gupta alleged that nearly 40 percent of medicines circulating in markets are either duplicate or counterfeit, with more than 100 products reportedly being sold as fake or substandard drugs. He warned that such medicines are manufactured and distributed across various states without adequate regulatory control, posing a serious threat to public health.

The organisation represents over 1.25 million chemist members across India, and when their families are included, nearly 50 million people depend on the sector for livelihood. In addition, the country has around one million registered pharmacists, yet the rise of online medicine sales has reportedly caused significant financial losses to traditional chemists.

Gupta further claimed that online sale of medicines remains illegal and unregulated, yet several foreign companies continue to operate in India’s digital marketplace. According to him, these companies are selling medicines at prices lower than fixed margins, creating an uneven market and allegedly establishing monopolistic control over the sector.

He added that repeated attempts had been made to discuss the issue with the government, including requests for a meeting with the Health Minister, but no appointment had been granted so far.

During the Udaipur meeting, the organisation is expected to pass a final resolution warning the government to take immediate action. If their concerns remain unaddressed, the body may call for a symbolic one-day nationwide shutdown, followed by the possibility of an indefinite strike by chemists across the country.

The organisation has also strongly opposed a recent government proposal to grant drug licences under Forms 20A and 21A to Primary Agricultural Credit Societies, arguing that such a move could endanger patient safety and weaken the country’s drug control system.

According to the chemists’ body, medicines cannot legally be sold without proper licensing, trained personnel, and the presence of a qualified pharmacist. The organisation has therefore also opposed the proposal allowing medicines to be sold through cooperative sale centres.

All these critical issues will be discussed in detail during the meeting scheduled on Sunday, and the organisation may take firm decisions depending on the outcome of the deliberations.