More than 26,000 pharmacies in Karnataka will shut down for 24 hours on May 20, 2026, to protest online medicine delivery platforms [2].

The statewide bandh represents a significant escalation in the conflict between traditional brick-and-mortar chemists and the growing digital healthcare market. Because pharmacies provide essential immediate access to medication, a total shutdown across the state could disrupt patient care for thousands of residents.

The protest is organized by the All India Organisation of Chemists and Druggists and the Karnataka Chemists and Druggists Association (KCDA) [1]. R. Raghunath Reddy, the president of the KCDA, said he is leading the effort to bring attention to the economic pressures facing local pharmacists [1].

Chemists involved in the protest said that app-based pharmacies are severely impacting their businesses. The associations said that these digital platforms offer steep discounts that undercut local prices, a practice they say violates existing drug regulations [1].

The shutdown is scheduled to last for 24 hours [1]. Organizers expect more than 26,000 pharmacies to participate in the action across the state [2].

Local pharmacists said that the lack of regulatory oversight for online platforms creates an uneven playing field. They said that while physical stores must adhere to strict licensing and pricing laws, digital competitors often bypass these requirements to capture market share [1].

“More than 26,000 pharmacies in Karnataka will shut down for 24 hours”

This protest highlights the growing tension between traditional retail pharmacy models and the rapid digitalization of healthcare in India. If the Karnataka government responds to the KCDA's demands, it could lead to stricter enforcement of drug pricing and delivery regulations, potentially slowing the expansion of e-pharmacy platforms in the region.