Chemists and druggists across India have announced a nationwide shutdown on May 20 in protest against online medicine sales and heavy discounting by e-pharmacy companies.
The strike has been called by the All India Chemists and Druggists Association (AICDA), which claims nearly 12.5 lakh medical stores are expected to participate.
The association says local pharmacies are struggling to compete with online platforms that offer medicines at heavily discounted prices.
Why Are Chemists Protesting?
According to AICDA, online pharmacy companies and large corporate pharmacy chains are offering discounts of 20% to 50% on medicines.
Traditional chemists say such aggressive pricing is hurting small medical stores, especially independent pharmacies operating in cities, towns, and rural areas.
The association argues that local chemists cannot survive if online companies continue selling medicines at much lower prices.
Retail pharmacists have also raised concerns about unfair competition and what they describe as “predatory pricing” practices.
Concerns Over Online Medicine Sales
Chemist associations say India still does not have a dedicated legal framework specifically designed for online medicine sales.
At present, the sector mainly operates under older laws like:
Drugs and Cosmetics Act, 1940
Drugs and Cosmetics Rules, 1945
The association claims illegal online sale of medicines continues despite repeated complaints and court observations.
There are also concerns about online platforms selling prescription medicines, including Schedule H, H1, and X drugs, without proper verification.
These medicines legally require a valid prescription from a registered doctor.
Pandemic Rules Still Being Used?
According to chemist groups, the government had allowed temporary home delivery relaxations during the Covid-19 pandemic to ensure medicine supply during lockdowns.
However, the association alleges that some online pharmacy platforms are still using those relaxations even after the pandemic period ended.
This has become another major point of disagreement between traditional chemists and online medicine companies.
Small Medical Stores Fear Business Losses
Pharmacists say online delivery services and deep discounts are reducing customer visits to neighbourhood medical shops.
The biggest concern is for smaller pharmacies in semi-urban and rural areas, where store owners depend heavily on regular local customers for survival.
Industry representatives warn that continued pressure from online platforms could force many small medical stores to shut down permanently.
Strike Could Become Indefinite
AICDA has warned that the May 20 protest could turn into an indefinite nationwide strike if the government does not take action on their demands.
The association says it has already submitted memorandums to several ministries and regulatory authorities, including the Prime Minister’s Office.
During the shutdown, medicine purchases and routine pharmaceutical supplies may face temporary disruptions in many parts of the country.
