A nationwide strike called by the All-India Organisation of Chemists and Druggists (AIOCD) on May 20 is expected to affect medicine supply in several parts of the country. The organisation, which represents nearly 12.4 lakh chemists, pharmacists and drug distributors, says the protest is aimed at highlighting concerns over the functioning of e-pharmacies and instant medicine delivery platforms.
Why are chemists protesting?
The AIOCD has demanded the withdrawal of two government notifications: GSR 220(E) and GSR 817(E). According to the association, these rules have allowed online pharmacies to operate without strict regulation on prescription checks, medicine dispensing and accountability, per a report by The Indian Express.
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"There is a growing concern about e-pharmacies and instant delivery apps fulfilling wrong or fake prescriptions. And, this has been possible because of the regulatory lacunae left by the drug regulator. We understand that online pharmacies are here to stay, but they should be regulated as rigorously as the brick-and-mortar ones.
This is the reason we have asked the government to withdraw the GSR 220 E and GSR 817 E notifications that have allowed these pharmacies to operate in a legal grey zone," Rajiv Singhal, general secretary of AIOCD, was quoted as saying by The Indian Express.
The AIOCD has demanded the withdrawal of two government notifications: GSR 220(E) and GSR 817(E). Representative image/ANI
What is GSR 817(E)?
GSR 817(E) is a draft notification issued around eight years ago to create rules for e-pharmacies in India. It proposed systems for registration, prescription verification and penalties for violations. However, the notification was never formally implemented or withdrawn.
The chemists' body says this has created long-term uncertainty and allowed online pharmacies to continue operating without a clear legal framework.
Singhal said that the GSR 817 E is an eight-year-old draft notification that was never notified or withdrawn — "the review has been going on for years", he said.
Concerns over pricing and competition
The association has also raised concerns over deep discounts offered by corporate-backed online platforms. According to the AIOCD, discounts crossing 50 per cent create unfair competition for small neighbourhood pharmacies.
"The corporations can pump in their profits to offer such discounts but it is not possible for small shops to do that. This leads to unfair competition. We want such practices to be regulated," said Singhal.
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Will medicine supply be affected?
The Health Ministry has said some state-level pharmacy associations, including those in West Bengal, may not join the strike. However, the AIOCD maintains that the protest will take place nationwide.
If participation is widespread, temporary disruptions in medicine supply are possible. Patients dependent on regular medication may consider arranging essential medicines in advance.
