Lakhs of medical shops across India remained closed on Wednesday in response to a 24-hour shutdown call by the All India Organisation of Chemists and Druggists (AIOCD). The strike is aimed at protesting against unregulated online sales and deep discounting by online pharmacies.
The AIOCD, which has around 12.4 lakh members, is demanding action against 'illegal' operations of online pharmacies. The organisation has three major demands: cancellation of Notification GSR 817, withdrawal of Notification GSR 220, and action against deep discounts being offered by online medicine platforms.
The strike has received a mixed response, with some states like Punjab, Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Karnataka, and parts of Gujarat witnessing major disruptions. Emergency medicine services are not impacted during the strike.
The AIOCD has claimed total support from its members, with around 7-8 lakh pharmacies likely to remain shut during the strike. The organisation has also been backed by Delhi's Retail Distribution Chemist Alliance (RDCA).
