- By Aditya Jha
- Wed, 20 May 2026 12:16 PM (IST)
- Source:JND
Chemist Protest Today: The All India Organisation of Chemists and Druggists (AIOCD) has called a nationwide protest on Wednesday against the heavy discounts provided by the e-pharmacy platforms. The organisation, which represents chemists, pharmacists, and distributors across the country, has alleged that the irregularity in the discounts by the online platforms has harmed the retail business. While lakhs of pharmacists have vowed to join the protest, the impact is likely to vary city to city.
In its statement, the AIOCD stated that the objective of this protest is to highlight the regulatory loopholes that allow e-pharmacies to operate without proper oversight. The organisation has claimed that 1,250,000 chemists have extended their support across the country, adding that 40,000 chemists have decided to participate in this protest.
The organisation pointed out that retail pharmacies operate under a strict 'prescription-based' system and maintain detailed records of restricted medications. It alleged that the e-pharmacy system allows online access to medicines that should otherwise be regulated. The AIOCD also warned against the potential use of fake prescriptions in digital transactions.
Will All Medicine Shops Remain Closed?
While the protest is likely to affect the sale of critical medicines, all the shops will not remain closed on Wednesday. The associations from several states, including Uttar Pradesh, Maharashtra, Karnataka, Kerala, Punjab, and West Bengal, have decided to not participate in the protest, reported NDTV, citing government sources.
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Apart from this, the organisation has also clarified that the emergency services will continue to function despite the protest, providing relief to the customers. The reports suggest several services, including hospital-attached pharmacies, government hospital medical counters, emergency stores, and Jan Aushadhi Kendras.
However, local medical supply chains are likely to be affected in several states due to the protest. As per the sources, the authorities have assured that these issues are being actively reviewed, reported Jagran.com.