Nationwide Chemist Strike on May 20 May Affect Pharmacy Services Across India
Over 15 lakh chemists and druggists to shut medical stores in protest against online medicine sales and unfair competition.
New Delhi: Pharmacy services across India are likely to face disruptions on May 20 as more than 15 lakh chemists and druggists prepare to participate in a nationwide strike called by the All India Organisation of Chemists and Druggists (AIOCD).
The protest has been organised against the alleged illegal online sale of medicines and what the association describes as unfair competition from large corporate backed online pharmacy platforms.
Addressing a press conference in Thane on Monday, AIOCD president and former MLC Jagannath Shinde said the bandh aims to pressure the government to withdraw notifications issued during the COVID 19 pandemic that allowed relaxed rules for online medicine delivery.
According to Mr. Shinde, these temporary exemptions continue to be misused even after the pandemic ended, leading to the unchecked sale of medicines through online platforms.
He claimed that online pharmacies were selling antibiotics, scheduled drugs and even fake medicines without valid prescriptions, posing a serious threat to public health, especially among the youth.
The AIOCD also alleged that online companies were offering discounts ranging from 20 to 50 percent, making it difficult for small chemists and local medical stores to survive.
Despite the strike, medical shops attached to hospitals and emergency medicine services will continue to function, ensuring that urgent healthcare needs are not affected.
Meanwhile, the organisation has advised the public to check their prescriptions in advance and stock up on essential medicines and health supplies to avoid inconvenience during the bandh.
Thane Chemists and Druggists Association president Vilas Joshi and other office bearers were also present during the press conference.