DIMAPUR: Nagaland chief minister Neiphiu Rio has called upon chemists and druggists from the northeastern to take up a challenge to check spurious medicines, which are largely in circulation in the region. Addressing the 5th Executive Committee meeting of the All India Organization of Chemists & Druggists (AIOCD), NE Zone on Sunday, Rio said the AIOCD should be strict with people who are dealing in such medicines. He said the chemists and druggists not only deal in medicines but with human lives. "Future of the country and its citizens depend on you," he said, requesting the AIOCD to be particular about fake and spurious medicines. Stating that in recent times, the medicine sector has tremendously improved, the chief minister said there was a huge market and scope for improvement. The CM said chemists and druggists, manufacturers/distributors have a big responsibility in ensuring quality of the medicines being circulated in the markets.