Chemists in Ferozepur back state-level protest over online medicine supply policy
Ferozepur, May 20, 2026: Chemists and druggists across Punjab have announced a statewide strike against the proposed online licence system for the supply of medicines, alleging that the move would adversely affect retail chemists and compromise public health safety. The protest is primarily against the online sale of medicines and deep discounting by e-pharmacy platforms, which is badly affecting local pharmacies as they are unable to compete with such low pricing.
The Chemists' Union Chief has announced that the strike will remain in force from 12 am on Wednesday to 12 am on Thursday. However, to ensure people do not face difficulties during an emergency, helpline numbers will also be issued to assist them.
One of the patients who purchases medicines every month, around Rs. 5,000, said the treatment has become costly now with rising prices of medicines. The local dealers are giving a maximum 20% discount on MRP, while online medicines of the same brand or a substitute brand are available at a higher discount of the same brand or substitute brand for around 40 to 50%. But the majority of the patients are reluctant to purchase online because of its quality and the results.
Supporting the state-level protest call, the Chemists and Druggists Association, Ferozepur, held a meeting under the leadership of President Subodh Kakkar and General Secretary Ashwani Kumar and extended full support to the agitation programme announced by the Punjab chemist bodies.
Addressing mediapersons, association leaders said that allowing online licences for medicine supply without proper physical verification and professional supervision could lead to misuse of medicines and pose serious health risks to the public.
President Subodh Kakkar said that chemists across the state are strongly opposing the proposed system and demanded that the Punjab Government immediately withdraw the move. He stated that lakhs of families are dependent on the chemist trade for their livelihood, and any unregulated online medicine supply system would badly affect small and medium medical store owners.
The association further announced that chemists in Ferozepur would actively participate in the statewide strike and protest demonstrations. The leaders urged the government to hold detailed discussions with representatives of chemists and druggists before implementing any such policy.
Terming the online medicine business as illegal, the association claimed that there is currently no legal provision for online e-pharmacy operations, a fact which, they alleged, has already been acknowledged by the Central Government and the Drug Controller General of India (DCGI).
In a memorandum submitted to various authorities, the association demanded immediate action against illegal online e-pharmacy operators and called upon the government to stop their activities without delay. It also urged all licensing authorities in Punjab not to issue any fresh or renewed licences to such operators in any form.