Odisha druggists shut shop to support nationwide strike

More than 17,000 retail and wholesale druggist's and chemist's shops remained closed in Odisha Friday in support of the day-long all-India strike called by their colleagues, an official said.

Although shops in the state-run hospitals remained opened to meet urgent needs, patients and their attendants across the state had a tough time finding medicines. The shops in government hospitals witnessed long queues.

Members of the Utkal Druggist and Chemist Association (UDCA) that is supporting the shutdown also staged sit-ins in district headquarters towns across the state.

The organization members also staged a protest here near the Raj Bhawan, the official residence of Governor S.C. Jamir.

The All India Organisation of Chemists and Druggists Associations (AIOCDA) called the nationwide shutdown Friday to protest aganst the new drug policy and oppose foreign direct investment in the sector.