More than 1.5 million chemists and druggists across India have initiated a nationwide strike today, May 20, 2026, leading to the closure of medical stores. The protest, organized by the All India Organisation of Chemists and Druggists (AIOCD), targets the proliferation of online medicine sales and what retailers describe as unprofessional competition from large corporate firms.
Reasons Behind the Nationwide Chemist Strike
AIOCD President Jagannath Shinde, addressing a press conference, stated that the bandh (strike) was organized to demand the withdrawal of notifications issued during the COVID-19 pandemic. These exemptions, intended to facilitate home delivery of medicines, are allegedly being misused by online platforms, several years after the pandemic's end.
A primary concern highlighted by the AIOCD is the significant public health risk posed by the growth of online medicine sales. Shinde claimed that this trend has led to the circulation of counterfeit drugs, antibiotics, and scheduled medicines without proper prescriptions, jeopardizing patient safety.
Impact of Online Discounts on Retailers
Another critical grievance is the intense pricing competition from online companies. Shinde alleged that these platforms exploit regulatory relaxations to offer deep discounts, ranging from 20 to 50 percent, which he described as a “death knell” for small, independent chemists and retailers across the country. The AIOCD asserts that such aggressive pricing practices create an unfair competitive environment.
Vilas Joshi, president of the Thane Chemists and Druggists Association, also reiterated these concerns during the press briefing, emphasizing the collective struggle of local pharmacists.
Exemptions During the Bandh
Despite the widespread strike, the AIOCD has confirmed that essential medical services will not be entirely disrupted. Medical shops attached to hospitals will remain operational to ensure that emergency medicine services are accessible to the public during the protest period.
The strike underscores a growing tension between traditional pharmaceutical retailers and the burgeoning online pharmacy sector, with calls for stricter regulation and a level playing field in the Indian medicine market.