Hyderabad: The Medical shops bandh called by the All India Organisation of Chemists and Druggists disrupted retail medicine stores across several cities on Wednesday.
The 24-hour strike began early in the morning after the AIOCD called for closure of medical shops nationwide. According to chemists’ associations, more than 12.40 lakh pharmacists and drug distributors supported the protest.
As a result, retail medicine outlets remained shut in many states and major cities. However, hospital-based pharmacies and some corporate pharmacy chains continued operations.
Chemists’ associations alleged that online pharmacies sold antibiotics and addictive medicines without proper physical verification of prescriptions. They also claimed that certain e-pharmacy platforms used AI-generated fake prescriptions.
According to the associations, such practices created serious public health concerns. Therefore, they demanded stricter regulation of online medicine sales.
The associations also opposed exemption notifications G.S.R. 220(E) and G.S.R. 817(E). The Centre introduced these notifications during the Covid-19 pandemic to permit home delivery of medicines.
Medical shops bandh sparks pricing concerns
Chemists accused corporate e-pharmacies of affecting small traders through heavy discount pricing. They said online companies offered discounts between 20 percent and 50 percent despite fixed medicine margins under government regulations.
Meanwhile, the Telangana Drugs Control Administration and authorities in other states issued advisories to reduce inconvenience to patients and senior citizens during the Medical shops bandh.
Officials clarified that medical stores attached to government and private hospitals would remain open. In addition, Jan Aushadhi Kendras and AMRIT pharmacies continued services during the strike.
Large pharmacy chains, including Apollo and MedPlus, also kept their outlets operational. Consequently, patients in several cities could still access medicines through selected stores.
Telangana Drugs Control Administration released the toll-free number 1800 599 6969 for complaints and emergency medicine-related assistance. Officials also advised citizens to contact local drug inspectors during emergencies.
