Patna, January 22: Thousands of pharmacists in Bihar will keep their shutters down for three days, beginning from Wednesday, in the wake of statewide strike called by the Druggist Association against the exploitation of workers. According to a tweet by ANI, the bandh, which has been called under the aegis of Bihar Chemist and Druggist Association, would begin from Wednesday, January 22. The strike has been called against alleged harassment and exploitation by drug inspectors in the name of inspection.

According to a report by TOI, around 55,000 chemist shops across state would remain shut for three days from Wednesday. The report quotes Bihar Chemist and Druggist Association president PK Singh saying that the drugstores supplying emergency and life-saving drugs in government and private hospitals would remain open. Singh had earlier informed that the  decision to keep the shops shut was taken at the executive body meet held at Bihar Chamber of Commerce and Industries in Patna earlier this month.

Here's the tweet:

The report further adds that earlier, it was decided to close all drug shops but the decision was changed after receiving requests from different sections of the society. On January 13, Singh had said there are hardly 7,500 pharmacists in Bihar while the number of drug shops is around 35,000. Singh was quoted in a TOI report saying that despite being aware of the situation that every shop can’t have a pharmacist, drugstore licences are suspended during inspection by drug inspectors. He had said that the government should take a decision so that drug retailers and wholesalers are not harassed for lack of pharmacists.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Jan 22, 2020 09:25 AM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).