Andhra Pradesh Chemists Protest Against Online Medicine Sales in Vizianagaram
Chemist, druggist body stages protest in Vizianagaram over online sale of medicines
The HinduImage: The Hindu
Members of the Andhra Pradesh Chemists and Druggists Association protested in Vizianagaram against the online sale of medicines, following a nationwide strike by the All India Organisation of Chemists and Druggists. They demand stricter regulations, citing that corporate pharmacies' discounts threaten the viability of small medical shops.
- 01The protest took place at Fort junction in Vizianagaram, Andhra Pradesh.
- 02G. Srinivasa Rao, president of the Vizianagaram district association, led the protest.
- 03Pharmacists closed their shops on the day of the protest as part of the strike.
- 04The association claims that some companies are generating fake prescriptions for online sales.
- 05V. Satish, the association’s treasurer, highlighted the financial strain on small pharmacies due to low profit margins.
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On May 20, 2026, members of the Andhra Pradesh Chemists and Druggists Association organized a protest at Fort junction in Vizianagaram, Andhra Pradesh, in response to a nationwide strike called by the All India Organisation of Chemists and Druggists (AIOCD). The protest aimed to demand stricter regulations on the online sale of medicines. Association leaders, including G. Srinivasa Rao (district president) and Motamarri Srinivasa Rao (general secretary), expressed concerns that corporate pharmacies were offering substantial discounts that jeopardized the livelihoods of small and medium-sized medical shops. They urged the government to impose a ban on online medicine sales. During the protest, pharmacists closed their shops and participated in a bike rally to the Collector's office. The association's members voiced allegations that certain companies were using fake prescriptions to facilitate online sales, further undermining local pharmacies. V. Satish, the association’s treasurer, noted that small pharmacies were suffering significant financial losses due to the minimal profit margins provided by bulk drug companies, exacerbating the ongoing crisis in the pharmaceutical retail sector.
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The protest highlights the financial struggles of small pharmacies, which may lead to increased prices for consumers if these businesses close.
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