Hospitals, Jan Aushadhi outlets to function despite chemists’ protest today
NEW DELHI, MAY 20 : All major pharmacy chains, hospital-based medical stores, Jan Aushadhi Kendras and AMRIT pharmacy outlets across India are expected to remain operational on May 20 despite a nationwide shutdown call given by the All India Organisation of Chemists and Druggists (AIOCD) over concerns related to e-pharmacies, sources said on Tuesday.
According to sources, several state-level pharmacy associations have decided not to participate in the proposed one-day strike, citing public interest and the need to ensure uninterrupted access to medicines and healthcare services.
The strike call was reportedly issued by the AIOCD in protest against the growing operations of e-pharmacies and concerns surrounding their regulation. Representatives of the organisation had recently met the national drug regulator and submitted concerns regarding the functioning of online medicine platforms.
Sources said the regulator assured pharmacy representatives that the issues raised are under active consideration and that the regulatory framework governing e-pharmacies is being reviewed to address concerns of retail pharmacy stakeholders.
Several pharmacy associations from states including West Bengal, Kerala, Punjab, Maharashtra, Karnataka, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, Gujarat and Uttarakhand have reportedly submitted written assurances stating they would not participate in the strike.
The bandh is expected to impact operations in some states. In Andhra Pradesh, more than 40,000 chemists are reportedly set to observe the one-day shutdown. Similarly, over 20,000 chemists across Karnataka are expected to participate in the strike against online medicine sales.
In Chandigarh, chemist shops are likely to remain closed on May 20, although the administration has reportedly identified 52 shops that will continue operating to ensure medicine availability for the public.
Meanwhile, the Tamil Nadu government has assured residents that there will be no shortage of medicines during the bandh, while authorities in Telangana have issued advisories to ensure uninterrupted access to essential medicines and healthcare supplies.
“Any disruption in the functioning of chemist shops has the potential to cause serious inconvenience to patients, particularly vulnerable groups dependent on regular access to life-saving and essential medicines,” a source said.
The development comes amid an ongoing debate between traditional retail chemists and online pharmacy platforms over regulation, competition and medicine distribution practices in India’s rapidly expanding healthcare sector.
-PTI
