Chemists downed their shutters in Odisha today in support of the country-wide agitation called by All India Organisation of Chemists and Druggists, causing distress to patients.
Around 17,000 medicine and chemist shops across the state remained closed during the stir, sources said.
Arrangements were, however, made for keeping open medicine shops in the government hospitals to ensure that those in urgent need of medication do not suffer, they said.
Demonstrations were staged at different places including the state capital under the banner of Utkal Druggist and Chemist Association in support of the nation-wide strike.
The druggists joined the stir to protest against the new drug policy of central government which, they alleged, reduced their trade margin on medicines. The chemists have also demanded amendment in the law regarding spurious drugs.
They are also demanding abolition of Drugs Act-2008 (Amendment), amendment in the new drug policy-2013 and elimination of FDI in retail pharmacy.
