The All India Organization of Chemists and Druggists has announced a nationwide strike on May 20th to protest the sale of medicines through online and e-pharmacy platforms. The organization claims that approximately 15,000 medical stores in Delhi and approximately 700,000 to 800,000 nationwide may remain closed during this period. However, emergency medicine services have been stated to continue.
Business is being affected
Sources within the Central Drugs Standard Control Organization (CDSCO) say several state-level retail pharmacy associations have distanced themselves from the strike and assured normal drug availability. Sandeep Nangia, president of the Delhi Retail Distribution Chemists Alliance (RDCA), said online platforms are impacting the business of small medical stores by offering deep discounts and faster delivery.
20 मई को देशभर में दवा दुकानें बंद!
Online Medicine Sale और भारी Discount के विरोध में Chemists का बड़ा Protest..#MedicalStore #Bandh #OnlineMedicine #BreakingNews #Chhattisgarh #Shorts #CNBCInvitesFakeInvestors #ManOfMassesNTR Narendra Modi,#Berhampur… pic.twitter.com/0LUwztqFE0
— DA NEWS PLUS (@press98783) May 19, 2026Distanced himself from the strike
The All India Chemists and Druggists Federation (AICDF), an organization of pharmaceutical traders, has distanced itself from the Bharat Bandh and strike proposed by several chemist associations on May 20. The organization said that it will not support this bandh. It claims that this will increase chaos and traders will suffer losses. AICDF President Kailash Gupta said that the objective of the organizations calling the bandh seems to be more to create pressure in the market than to protect the interests of the traders.
Jobner Chemists Association also supports
Jobner Chemist Association has also agreed to support the proposed closure of medical stores on May 20 on the call of All India Organization of Chemists and Druggists and Rajasthan Chemist Alliance.
In this regard, the Jobner Chemist Association submitted a memorandum to Deputy Tehsildar Sohan Ji. The memorandum demanded a ban on online drug sales, restrictions on the heavy discounts offered by corporate companies, the withdrawal of COVID CSR 220(E), and a crackdown on counterfeit drugs.
The meeting, chaired by Association President Subhash Naga, discussed the major problems faced by chemists. A unanimous resolution was taken to ensure a successful All India Medical Store Bandh on May 20th.
A large number of chemists, including Rohit, Deepak, Danaram, Vimal, Kishan, Ashish, Damodar, Amit, Praveen, Naval, Omprakash, Rajendra, Ajay, Shankar, Mukesh, Ranjeet, Shravan, Kanaram, Kamal, Bhagwansahaya, Javed, Mridul, Jeevan, and Omendra, were present.
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Edited by: Bhoomi Goyal
