THEBUSINESSBYTES
BUREAU
BHUBANESWAR,
MAY 19, 2026
In view of the
nationwide bandh call by the All-India Organization of Chemists and Druggists
(AIOCD) on May 20, 2026, the Odisha government has put in place an extensive
contingency mechanism to ensure uninterrupted availability of emergency and
lifesaving medicines across the state. The Health and Family Welfare
Department, in coordination with the office of the Drugs Controller, Odisha,
has initiated multiple measures to safeguard patients from any inconvenience
during the proposed shutdown of medical shops.
According to the
Drugs Controller of Odisha, all Niramaya Centres functioning in government
health institutions will continue dispensing medicines to patients without
disruption. Chief District Medical and Public Health Officers (CDM&PHOs) of
all districts have been directed to closely monitor the functioning of these
centres and ensure seamless medicine distribution.
The government has
also ensured that medicine stores located within hospital campuses will remain
operational during the bandh period. In addition, all Pradhan Mantri Bharatiya
Janaushadhi Kendras (PMBJKs) across the state are slated to function normally,
offering affordable medicines to the public.
To strengthen
emergency preparedness, all in-house pharmacies and medicine stores attached to
hospitals and clinical establishments, including 24×7 pharmacies, have been
instructed to remain open and continue serving patients. The Health Department
further informed that several corporate-run chemist outlets, which are not
affiliated with AIOCD, are expected to operate as usual.
The state
administration has also activated its field enforcement machinery to prevent
any disruption in the supply chain of essential drugs. All Drugs Inspectors and
Assistant Drugs Controllers have been directed to monitor the availability and
distribution of lifesaving medicines within their respective jurisdictions.
They have additionally been asked to coordinate with wholesalers and
distributors to ensure sufficient advance stock reaches retail outlets ahead of
the bandh.
Recognising the
potential challenges faced by vulnerable patients, the government has appealed
to local chemist associations to facilitate uninterrupted dispensing of
medicines during emergencies. Chemists, particularly those operating in remote
and rural areas, have been advised to provide advance medicines to patients
suffering from chronic and critical illnesses such as diabetes, hypertension,
asthma, cardiac ailments, epilepsy, cancer and other serious health conditions.
With these proactive
arrangements, the Odisha government aims to ensure that no patient is deprived
of essential healthcare support during the proposed nationwide bandh.
