35,000 Gujarat Chemists to Join Nationwide Bandh Against Online Medicine Sales
Protest
New Delhi: Over 35,000 chemists across Gujarat are set to participate in a nationwide bandh called by the All India Organisation of Chemists and Druggists (AIOCD) against online sale of medicines, alleged unfair trade practices and the growing circulation of counterfeit drugs. Around 3,200 medical stores in Ahmedabad are also expected to remain shut during the protest.
The Federation of Gujarat State Chemists and Druggists Associations has extended support to the strike, claiming that several key concerns of retail chemists remain unresolved despite repeated representations to authorities. The organisation alleged that the rapid expansion of online pharmacies is severely impacting small and independent chemists across the state.
Trade bodies have alleged that pharmaceutical companies are offering higher profit margins to large online platforms and bulk distributors while smaller retailers are being sidelined. The association further objected to certain central government notifications related to e-pharmacy operations and demanded their withdrawal.
Federation president Yashvant Patel alleged that medicines are being supplied through online platforms without proper prescription verification. He claimed that habit-forming drugs such as alprazolam, diazepam, clonazepam and codeine-based cough syrups can allegedly be purchased online using forged prescriptions, including those created with artificial intelligence tools. Concerns were also raised regarding the alleged online availability of abortion pills.
The federation further claimed that aggressive discounting by online pharmacies has created financial pressure on traditional chemists and medium-scale retailers. It also expressed concern over the alleged rise in duplicate and substandard medicines in the market, calling for stricter regulatory monitoring and enforcement.
The chemists’ body said it had earlier approached the Gujarat High Court in 2016 seeking action against online medicine sales, adding that the matter is still pending. It also referred to previous court observations and interim orders linked to regulation of e-pharmacies.
Ahmedabad Mirror reports that the chemist associations have maintained that unchecked online sale of medicines poses risks related to misuse of prescription drugs and unfair competition for offline retailers.
The proposed bandh is expected to witness participation from chemists and druggists across several states as trader bodies intensify their demand for tighter control over online pharmacy operations.
