The All India Organisation of Chemists and Druggists (AIOCD), which represents approximately 1.24 million chemists, pharmacists, and distributors, has demanded strict action against what it describes as illegal operations of online pharmacies. The organisation stated that the strike is intended to oppose regulatory provisions that it believes are undermining the traditional pharmacy ecosystem.
“All medical shops are closed... we are receiving feedback from all our state branches that everybody is participating in this strike. We have not put pressure on nursing home pharmacies operating inside hospitals,” AIOCD General Secretary Rajiv Singhal told PTI.
However, reports from the National Capital Region indicated that outlets of certain organised pharmacy chains continued to function during the strike period. A sales executive at one such outlet stated, “We are not a part of the strike,” when questioned about the nationwide call given by the AIOCD.
The association further reiterated that its protest is directed against Government of India notifications GSR 817 and GSR 220, which it claims effectively legitimise online pharmacies. According to the AIOCD, these regulatory measures have enabled the sale of medicines without adequate physical verification of prescriptions, raising serious concerns over patient safety and compliance standards. It also alleged that corporates operating online pharmacy platforms are engaging in deep discounting practices, thereby severely impacting the viability of traditional brick-and-mortar chemists.
Rajiv Singhal emphasised that the association would decide its future course of action after the completion of the one-day nationwide strike, with the objective of safeguarding the interests of its members and stakeholders across the pharmaceutical retail sector.
The strike underscores growing tension between traditional pharmacy networks and expanding online pharmaceutical platforms, highlighting a widening regulatory and economic conflict within India’s healthcare supply chain.
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