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What is the story about?
The All-India Organisation of Chemists and Druggists (AIOCD) has called for a nationwide strike on May 20 to protest against online medical sales and deep discounting by e-pharmacy platforms.
The strike has sparked concerns among patients over the availability of medicines and healthcare services.
But several retail pharmacy associations and major pharmacy chains across the country have now distanced themselves from the proposed bandh, assuring that essential medicines and emergency healthcare supplies will remain available.
Here is everything you need to know before the proposed strike.
Why has the strike been called?
The AIOCD, which represents more than 12 lakh chemists and drug distributors across India, has announced a one-day nationwide shutdown to protest against the functioning of online pharmacies and their pricing practices.
According to the AIOCD, online medicine sellers are allegedly allowing medicines to be purchased without proper physical prescription verification, leading to misuse of old prescriptions and unchecked sale of antibiotics and habit-forming drugs.
The organisation has accused e-pharmacy platforms of operating under weak regulatory oversight and misusing relaxations introduced during the COVID-19 pandemic. The body has also raised concerns over AI-generated fake prescriptions and warned that such practices could contribute to growing antimicrobial resistance (AMR), posing a serious public health challenge.
What are chemists demanding?
The AIOCD has demanded the withdrawal of both the temporary COVID-period notification GSR 220(E) and the e-pharmacy framework notification GSR 817(E). The organisation has also called for stricter regulation of e-pharmacies and measures to stop deep discounting practices.
Will medical stores remain open?
Despite the strike call, several retail pharmacy associations across the country have refused to participate, citing public interest and patient welfare, reported ANI.
As a result, all major pharmacy chains, hospital-attached medical stores, Jan Aushadhi Kendras, and AMRIT Pharmacy outlets are expected to remain operational on May 20.
Which states have opted out?
Retail pharmacy associations from multiple states and Union Territories have reportedly submitted written assurances confirming they will not participate in the strike. These include West Bengal, Kerala, Punjab, Maharashtra, Karnataka, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, Ladakh, Gujarat, Chhattisgarh, Sikkim, and Uttarakhand. These associations have also assured authorities that medicine supply chains will continue without interruption.
What has the government said?
According to CDSCO sources, the concerns raised by the AIOCD are currently under active examination, and the sector's regulatory framework is being reviewed in order to address the concerns. Sources also stressed that uninterrupted access to medicines remains a top priority, especially for vulnerable patients dependent on regular medication.
Authorities also said constructive dialogue remains the preferred way to address concerns while ensuring healthcare services are not affected.
FMCG distributors back nationwide chemists’ strike
Meanwhile, the Federation of All India Distributors Associations (FAIDA), which represents FMCG distributors across India, has expressed its support for the strike.
In a statement dated May 14, FAIDA claimed that the ‘uncontrolled growth‘ of online sales platforms had resulted in unethical trade practices, unhealthy competition, deceptive pricing promises, and disruption of the existing distribution environment.
The strike has sparked concerns among patients over the availability of medicines and healthcare services.
But several retail pharmacy associations and major pharmacy chains across the country have now distanced themselves from the proposed bandh, assuring that essential medicines and emergency healthcare supplies will remain available.
Several Retail Pharmacy Associations across India have declined to participate in the nationwide strike proposed by AIOCD on May 20, 2026, citing public interest and the need to ensure uninterrupted access to essential medicines. CDSCO sources said the concerns raised over… pic.twitter.com/faYBXuoWTm
— Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) May 19, 2026
All pharmacy chains and hospital pharmacy stores, Jan Aushadhi stores, AMRIT Pharmacy stores will remain open tomorrow, in addition to the many state and chemist associations who have already pulled out
from the strike: Sources
— ANI (@ANI) May 19, 2026
Here is everything you need to know before the proposed strike.
Why has the strike been called?
The AIOCD, which represents more than 12 lakh chemists and drug distributors across India, has announced a one-day nationwide shutdown to protest against the functioning of online pharmacies and their pricing practices.
According to the AIOCD, online medicine sellers are allegedly allowing medicines to be purchased without proper physical prescription verification, leading to misuse of old prescriptions and unchecked sale of antibiotics and habit-forming drugs.
The organisation has accused e-pharmacy platforms of operating under weak regulatory oversight and misusing relaxations introduced during the COVID-19 pandemic. The body has also raised concerns over AI-generated fake prescriptions and warned that such practices could contribute to growing antimicrobial resistance (AMR), posing a serious public health challenge.
What are chemists demanding?
The AIOCD has demanded the withdrawal of both the temporary COVID-period notification GSR 220(E) and the e-pharmacy framework notification GSR 817(E). The organisation has also called for stricter regulation of e-pharmacies and measures to stop deep discounting practices.
Will medical stores remain open?
Despite the strike call, several retail pharmacy associations across the country have refused to participate, citing public interest and patient welfare, reported ANI.
As a result, all major pharmacy chains, hospital-attached medical stores, Jan Aushadhi Kendras, and AMRIT Pharmacy outlets are expected to remain operational on May 20.
Which states have opted out?
Retail pharmacy associations from multiple states and Union Territories have reportedly submitted written assurances confirming they will not participate in the strike. These include West Bengal, Kerala, Punjab, Maharashtra, Karnataka, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, Ladakh, Gujarat, Chhattisgarh, Sikkim, and Uttarakhand. These associations have also assured authorities that medicine supply chains will continue without interruption.
What has the government said?
According to CDSCO sources, the concerns raised by the AIOCD are currently under active examination, and the sector's regulatory framework is being reviewed in order to address the concerns. Sources also stressed that uninterrupted access to medicines remains a top priority, especially for vulnerable patients dependent on regular medication.
Authorities also said constructive dialogue remains the preferred way to address concerns while ensuring healthcare services are not affected.
FMCG distributors back nationwide chemists’ strike
Meanwhile, the Federation of All India Distributors Associations (FAIDA), which represents FMCG distributors across India, has expressed its support for the strike.
In a statement dated May 14, FAIDA claimed that the ‘uncontrolled growth‘ of online sales platforms had resulted in unethical trade practices, unhealthy competition, deceptive pricing promises, and disruption of the existing distribution environment.
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