New Delhi, May 20 -- BJD MP Sasmit Patra on Wednesday said it was a "very positive step" that Jan Aushadhi centres and some chemist shops remained operational despite the nationwide strike called by chemists against e-pharmacy operations.

Speaking to ANI here, Patra said the government should engage with chemists' associations and work towards ensuring that offline pharmacies are not adversely affected by e-commerce platforms.

"Despite the bandh call today on chemist shops in protest to the growing dominance of the e-commerce pharmacies, many Jan Aushadhi centres as well as other chemist shops staying open is a very positive step...the govt needs to engage with the chemists' associations and organisations and find a way by which the che...