Chemists across major cities in Andhra Pradesh, including Visakhapatnam, Vijayawada, and Tirupati, observed a one-day nationwide bandh on Wednesday, May 20, 2026. The protest, called by the All India Organisation of Chemists & Druggists (AIOCD), targeted the unchecked sale of medicines through online pharmacies. Retail pharmacists expressed grave concerns over public health implications as e-pharmacies allegedly allow consumers to purchase drugs, including habit-forming substances and antibiotics, without a valid doctor's prescription. This significant action highlights a growing conflict between traditional pharmaceutical retail and the rapidly expanding digital marketplace for medicines.

What Happened?

On Wednesday, May 20, 2026, medical stores in numerous cities across India, notably in Andhra Pradesh, remained shut as part of a nationwide protest. The bandh was organized by the All India Organisation of Chemists & Druggists (AIOCD). This large-scale closure was a direct response to the increasing prevalence and perceived dangers of online medicine sales. Chemists argue that these digital platforms often bypass crucial regulatory checks, specifically the requirement for a doctor's prescription.

In Vijayawada, members of the NTR District Chemists & Druggists Association actively participated, taking out a rally on Nakkala Road. During the demonstration, D.V.R. Sai Kumar, the association’s general secretary, articulated the core issues. He emphasized that e-pharmacies pose a significant threat to public health. These platforms reportedly enable individuals to acquire vital medicines, including antibiotics, habit-forming drugs, and even Medical Termination of Pregnancy (MTP) kits, without the mandatory prescription that physical chemist shops strictly enforce. The Krishna District Wholesale Drug Trade Association also joined the protest, underscoring the broad support for the bandh among pharmaceutical retailers.

Similar protests were witnessed in Visakhapatnam, where pharmacists gathered near Jagadamba Circle to voice their discontent. The unified message from chemists nationwide was clear: online pharmacies operate with relaxed rules that jeopardize patient safety and create an unfair competitive landscape. They stressed that the bandh was not merely for their business interests but primarily for the larger public interest, ensuring medicines are dispensed responsibly and safely. Despite the widespread closures, authorities in the Drugs Control Administration, NTR district, and Visakhapatnam had made precautionary arrangements to ensure some medical shops remained open in every center to prevent public inconvenience and maintain essential medicine availability.

Key Highlights

Chemists across India, including major Andhra Pradesh cities, observed a one-day nationwide bandh on May 20, 2026.
The protest was called by the All India Organisation of Chemists & Druggists (AIOCD).
The primary reason for the bandh was the unchecked sale of medicines through online pharmacies.
Pharmacists allege that e-pharmacies allow the purchase of drugs, including habit-forming ones and antibiotics, without a prescription.
Rallies and protests were held in Vijayawada and Visakhapatnam, highlighting public health concerns.
Local drug associations, like the NTR District Chemists & Druggists Association, actively participated.
Authorities had made arrangements to ensure essential medicines remained available during the bandh.

Why Does This Matter?

This nationwide bandh by chemists underscores a critical public health debate concerning the safe and responsible distribution of medicines. For the common person, the ability to buy medicines online without a prescription might seem convenient. However, this convenience carries significant risks. Self-medication with potent drugs like antibiotics can lead to antibiotic resistance, a major global health threat. Similarly, unchecked access to habit-forming drugs can fuel addiction, and the misuse of MTP kits can have serious health consequences for individuals. The pharmacists' protest, therefore, highlights the essential role they play as healthcare gatekeepers, ensuring patient safety through proper verification and guidance.

The issue extends beyond individual health to the integrity of the healthcare system. Traditional pharmacies operate under strict regulations to protect consumers, including licensing, qualified pharmacists, and mandatory prescription checks. If online platforms are allowed to bypass these crucial controls, it creates an uneven playing field and could ultimately undermine the quality and safety of pharmaceutical care. This bandh serves as a strong message to regulators to address these discrepancies. It urges them to implement stringent regulations for online pharmacies that prioritize public health and safety above commercial interests, ensuring that all avenues for medicine distribution adhere to the same high standards of responsibility and patient care.