Why Are 12 Lakh Chemists On Strike Tomorrow Against Online Medicine Sales? E-Pharmacy Row Explained

Key points

• Why Are 12 Lakh Chemists On Strike Tomorrow Against Online Medicine Sales?
• E-Pharmacy Row Explained Written By, Last Updated: May 19, 2026, 15:21 IST Traditional chemists argue that e-pharmacies are operating in a legal grey area and aggressive discounting by large online platforms is hurting small retail pharmacies Rapid Read Retail pharmacy owners say brick-and-mortar stores are subject to stricter inspections and accountability standards than online operators.
• (AI-Generated Image) More than 12 lakh chemists and druggists across India have called for a nationwide strike on Wednesday, May 20, raising concerns over possible disruption in medicine supplies in several states.
• The protest, led by the All India Organisation of Chemists and Druggists (AIOCD), is primarily directed against what retail pharmacy owners describe as the “unregulated expansion" of e-pharmacies and instant medicine delivery platforms.
• Here’s a breakdown of what the dispute is about, what chemists are demanding, and whether medicine access could...