Vijayawada: Medical shops were closed in protest against the decision taken by the Central government to allow sale of medicines online.

The one-sided decision of the Union government would hamper the lives of the people, said the Retail Chemists and Druggists Association, Vijayawada president DVR Sai Kumar.

The members of the association here on Friday participated in a protest rally supported by Andhra Pradesh Medical and Sales Representatives Union against the Central government for supporting the online sale of medicines.

Speaking to the media, Sai Kumar blamed the Central government for taking one-sided decision on online medicines sale which would affect the lives of eight lakh retail shop owners.

The online sales of medicines would make the people suffer and the youth would get attracted to the intoxicants.

District president Sadhu Prasad said the online sale would hamper the lives of eight lakh retailers directly and 80 lakh employees indirectly.

City secretary M Sudhakar, treasurer G Damodar, vice-president KV Someswara Rao, district secretary Patnayak, honorary advisor, K Picchaiah, honorary president G Ramana Rao, medical representative and others were present.