The District Collector has prohibited medical shops, drug stores/pharmacies in Puducherry from downing shutters on Wednesday in response to a nation-wide protest against the Centre’s move to regularise e-pharmacies.
The 24-hour closure had been called by the All India Organisation of Chemists and Druggists. In a notification, District Collector D. Manikandan invoked section 144 (1) of the Cr.PC to safeguard public interest in prohibiting the closure of medical shops.
“All are directed to comply with the order, failing which penal action will be initiated,” the order stated.