Chemists Intensify Protest Against E-Pharmacies, Call For Nationwide Bandh On May 20

Intensifying its protest against the online sale of medicines, the All India Organisation of Chemists and Druggists (AIOCD) has stepped up its agitation, warning that the rapid and largely unregulated expansion of e-pharmacies, coupled with deep discounting by large corporate players, poses a serious threat to both the pharmaceutical retail sector and public health.

In a series of representations to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the Association—representing over 12.40 lakh pharmacists and distributors—has urged the government to intervene urgently. It has called for stringent measures to curb what it terms predatory pricing practices or, alternatively, the withdrawal of regulatory provisions that it alleges favour digital platforms over traditional neighbourhood chemists.

As part of its escalating protest, the AIOCD has announced a phased agitation programme, culminating in a 24-hour All India Chemists Bandh on May 20, 2026. Medical shops across the country are expected to remain shut from midnight to midnight.

The protest will begin with state-level press conferences on May 13, followed by a week-long demonstration from May 15, during which chemists will wear black ribbons.

The Association has indicated that further action, including an indefinite strike, could follow if its demands are not addressed.

At the centre of the dispute is the issue of steep discounts offered by online platforms and corporate pharmacy chains. According to the AIOCD, discounts ranging from 20% to 60% are being extended to consumers—levels that it claims are not viable under existing regulatory norms.

Citing guidelines of the National Pharmaceutical Pricing Authority (NPPA), which permit a retail margin of around 16%, the Association has argued that such pricing models are sustained through capital infusion aimed at capturing market share and establishing monopolies.

“These practices are distorting the market and pushing small retailers out of business,” the Association said, adding that thousands of independent chemists are at risk of closure.

Beyond economic concerns, the organisation has raised serious apprehensions about patient safety in the absence of adequate regulatory oversight.

The AIOCD has pointed to the lack of direct interaction between pharmacists and patients in the e-pharmacy model, which it says increases the risk of self-medication and misuse of prescription drugs. It also flagged the possibility of repeated use of scanned prescriptions to procure habit-forming medicines.

“There is a real danger of irrational drug use and increasing dependency if such practices go unchecked,” said AIOCD President J. S. Shinde.

The Association further warned of the risk of substandard or spurious medicines entering the supply chain, along with logistical challenges in maintaining drug potency during transportation, particularly in the absence of assured cold-chain systems.

The AIOCD has also questioned the continued applicability of certain notifications issued during the COVID-19 pandemic, alleging that these are being misused to legitimise the online sale of medicines beyond their intended scope.

Rajiv Singhal, General Secretary of the AIOCD, described the situation as a case of regulatory inconsistency. “It is difficult to understand why provisions meant for emergency use are being extended in a manner that could compromise both public health and the interests of registered pharmacists,” he said.

The Association has specifically called for the withdrawal of notifications such as GSR 220(E) and GSR 817(E), arguing that these create an uneven playing field.

In its efforts to build pressure, the AIOCD has submitted memoranda to several Union Ministers, including those handling health, commerce, and home affairs. It is also engaging with Members of Parliament across states to mobilise support for its demand to regulate or prohibit e-pharmacy operations.

The organisation has maintained that its campaign is aimed at safeguarding the integrity of the pharmaceutical distribution system and ensuring that existing laws, including the Drugs and Cosmetics Act and the Pharmacy Act, are enforced in their true spirit.

The confrontation highlights a broader tension between traditional retail networks and emerging digital platforms in the healthcare sector. While e-pharmacies have gained popularity for convenience and price competitiveness, concerns over regulation, patient safety, and market fairness continue to persist, said a player in the sector, requesting anonymity.

“The matter is not limited to trade interests alone,” the Association said. “It concerns the safety of patients and the future of a regulated healthcare delivery system.”