Bandh call: Pharmacies to stay open on May 20, but chemists to show support by sporting black badges and ribbons

The Mysuru City and District Retail Chemists’ Association (MCDRCA) has announced its moral support to the nation-wide bandh call on May 20 against online sale of medicines and abnormal discounts. Retail chemists will sport black badges and ribbons, but shops will not close. In a statement in Mysuru, MCDRCA president M. Raju and secretary Arun C.K. said the association, which has been continuously working to protect the interests of chemists and the public health sector for several years, will not close shops, keeping in mind the health interests of the public and patients. However, they made it clear that MCDRCA along with its State association — Karnataka Pharma Retailers and Distributors’ Organisation (KPRDO) — have been continuously fighting against unauthorised online sale of medicines, abnormal and excessive discounts being offered on life-saving medicines, and legal violations committed by quick-commerce medicine delivery apps. “Many online portals are announcing excessive discounts even on life-saving medicines and attracting the public through social media and. This is sending the wrong message,” the MCDRCA said. Since Independence, brick-and-mortar pharmacies have been providing uninterrupted service to the public. “Due to such unhealthy competition, retail chemists are facing hardship, and a situation has arisen where their very existence is under threat. Such developments are adversely affecting not only the traditional pharmacy sector but also the public health system,” they said. Against this backdrop, KPRDO and MCDRCA have submitted several memoranda to various Central and State Ministries, departments, and authorities concerned. “We have also personally met the Ministers and officials concerned and urged them to take appropriate legal action. It is a matter of satisfaction that, as a result of the continuous struggle by KPRDO and our association, the Ministries concerned and drug control departments have already issued several satisfactory orders and circulars,” the statement added. “Further, regarding unauthorised online sale of medicines and violations of the Drugs and Cosmetics Act by quick-commerce medicine delivery apps, KPRDO and our association have submitted detailed memoranda several times to the Commissioner, Food Safety and Drug Administration, drawing attention to these legal violations,” they said, while urging the authorities to protect public health and safeguard the “rapidly declining traditional medicine trade”. The MCDRCA said that the Commissioner, Food Safety and Drug Administration, in response to their appeals, had issued a historic circular dated March 3, 2026, directing all enforcement officers across Karnataka to take action against unauthorised entities and submit reports. “In this regard, enforcement officers are taking legal action in a phased manner,” the MCDRCA said. Therefore, the retail chemists of Mysuru city and district will participate in the protest by wearing black badges and ribbons to extend moral support to the nationwide bandh scheduled on May 20.