Pharmacy strike shuts thousands of medical stores in Hyderabad on May 20

Published on 5/20/2026, 10:42:46 AM

Key points

Thousands of patients across Hyderabad were left searching for medicines on Wednesday (May 20, 2026) after pharmacies downed shutters as part of a nationwide strike against e-pharmacies and alleged irregularities in medicine sales online.
Outside the Nizam’s Institute of Medical Sciences (NIMS) in Punjagutta, 65-year-old Lakshamma slowly walked out of the hospital along with her son, clutching a prescription for medicines prescribed to treat her knee pain.
The two expected to purchase the medicines from one of the many pharmacies lining the busy road outside the hospital.
“I came here because of pain in my knee.
The doctor checked me and prescribed a few medicines.

Quick context: Thousands of patients across Hyderabad were left searching for medicines on Wednesday (May 20, 2026) after pharmacies downed shutters as part of a nationwide strike against e-pharmacies and alleged irregularities in medicine sales online.

Published May 20, 2026.

📌 Source: The Hindu

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