Chemists across India staged a nationwide strike on May 20, 2024, shutting thousands of medical stores to protest the rise of e-pharmacies [1, 2].

The walkout represents a critical clash between traditional brick-and-mortar pharmacy owners and the rapidly growing digital health sector. The disruption threatens immediate access to essential medications for millions of citizens while highlighting a regulatory gap in how medicines are sold online.

The All-India Organisation of Chemists and Druggists (AIOCD) led the protest, which saw an estimated 1.24 million chemists participate [3]. The strike impacted multiple regions, including Gujarat, Assam, and Telangana. In Hyderabad alone, the action resulted in the closure of thousands of medical stores [4].

Protesters are specifically targeting the growth of unregulated e-pharmacies and the practice of deep discounting. The AIOCD said that these digital platforms operate without the same oversight as physical stores, creating an unfair competitive environment. The strike also targets regulatory notifications GSR 220(E) and GSR 817(E), which chemists said negatively affect pricing and market competition [2, 3].

Local governments have reacted with concern over the potential for medical shortages. In Assam, the government issued warnings against any disruption to the supply of essential medicines during the strike [5].

Traditional pharmacists said that the current regulatory framework fails to prevent e-pharmacies from bypassing safety protocols. They said that the pricing notifications issued by the government further disadvantage small-scale operators who cannot compete with the capital and pricing strategies of large tech-driven pharmacy platforms [2, 3].

“1.24 million chemists participate”

This strike underscores the tension between India's traditional healthcare retail infrastructure and the digital transformation of medicine delivery. By targeting specific regulatory notifications, the AIOCD is attempting to force the government to implement stricter licensing and pricing controls on e-pharmacies to ensure a level playing field and maintain the viability of local chemists.