Medical Shops Across Pune And Pimpri Chinchwad Shut As Chemists Join Nationwide Strike Against Online Medicine Sales
Medical Shops Across Pune And Pimpri Chinchwad Shut As Chemists Join Nationwide Strike Against Online Medicine Sales
Pune, May 20, 2026: Several medical stores and pharmacies across Pune remained closed on Wednesday as chemists participated in a 24-hour nationwide strike called by the All India Organisation of Chemists and Druggists (AIOCD).
The protest was organised against the growing presence of e-pharmacies and alleged unregulated online sale of medicines. Chemist associations claimed that online platforms offering heavy discounts and selling medicines without proper prescription verification are adversely affecting small pharmacy owners and raising concerns over patient safety.
According to pharmacy operators, medicines should only be sold after verifying valid prescriptions and maintaining proper records. They alleged that some online medicine platforms are bypassing regulatory norms and functioning without adequate monitoring.
Local chemist associations in Pune extended support to the bandh and kept their establishments shut for the day. Representatives of the associations said traditional pharmacies have been facing increasing business pressure due to the rapid growth of online medicine delivery services.
The protesting chemists demanded stricter government regulations for e-pharmacy operations and stronger implementation of existing laws governing the sale of medicines.
Despite the strike, hospital-based pharmacies and emergency medical services continued to function normally. Authorities appealed to citizens not to panic and advised patients requiring urgent medicines to approach hospital pharmacies or authorised emergency medical stores.
