Chennai: State Drugs Control Directorate has asked district officials to ensure essential medicines are available to patients, ahead of a one-day nationwide strike called by All India Organisation of Chemists and Druggists (AIOCD) on May 20. AIOCD’s demands are: action against illegal e-pharmacies, withdrawal of a Covid-era notification permitting doorstep delivery of medicines, and curbs on predatory discounting by corporates that threatens independent chemists. Chennai helpdesk for if medicines are unavailable: M Sugumaran: 9841477526, S Lakshmi: 9884464549, B Sathishkumar: 9841947955, M Dillibabu: 9884179301 and K Punitha: 9003003693. Kancheepuram: P Vijayan: 9710313433 and M Yuvavrani: 8220602642, Tiruvallur: R Sasikumar: 9092504267 and R Iyappan 7010704350.tnn
