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CHANDIGARH: The availability of essential medicines across Punjab is likely to be severely affected on Wednesday as nearly 27,000 retail and wholesale chemists are set to keep their establishments shut in support of a nationwide strike called by the All India Organisation of Chemists and Druggists.

The strike has been called primarily to protest the growing online sale of medicines and the deep discounting practices of e-pharmacy platforms, which traditional chemists claim threaten the survival of small neighbourhood pharmacies.

Protest against the online sale of medicines

Chemist associations argue that online pharmacy companies are offering medicines at heavily discounted rates, making it nearly impossible for small retail chemists to compete.

They have also raised concerns over the alleged sale of medicines through online platforms without adequate prescription verification, warning that such practices could encourage self-medication, misuse of drugs and public health risks.

The protesting chemists have further demanded stricter government action against fake, spurious and substandard medicines, claiming unchecked online sales may worsen the problem.

Thousands of patients are likely to face inconvenience

The statewide shutdown is expected to inconvenience thousands of patients and attendants who rely on nearby pharmacies for routine medicines, emergency drugs and life-saving prescriptions.

However, chemical associations have clarified that pharmacies operating within hospitals will remain operational to avoid hardship for admitted patients, emergency wards, and critical care units.

Surinder Duggal said the strike would remain effective from 12 midnight Wednesday to 12 midnight Thursday.

“We have asked all retailers and wholesalers across Punjab to observe the strike. To ensure people do not face difficulties during severe emergencies, helpline numbers will also be issued to assist them,” Duggal said.

Verification issue with the Punjab Pharmacy Council

Apart from the issue of online medicine sales, chemists are also protesting against repeated demands by the Punjab Pharmacy Council for the verification and attestation of pharmacists’ educational certificates.

Chemist leaders alleged that pharmacists had already completed such verification and renewal formalities on multiple occasions, and that repeated demands were creating unnecessary harassment.

Over 3,200 shops to remain shut in Ludhiana

In Ludhiana, around 3,253 retail and wholesale medicine shops are expected to remain closed during the protest.

GS Chawla said that even pharmacies operating at major medical institutions such as Christian Medical College (CMC) and Dayanand Medical College (DMC) would partially participate in the shutdown.

“Shops in CMC and DMC will remain closed for half a day. However, pharmacies inside hospitals are participating voluntarily because admitted patients require round-the-clock medicine supply,” Chawla said.

Partial impact expected in Jalandhar

The impact of the strike may, however, remain limited in Jalandhar, particularly in Dilkusha Market — the city’s largest wholesale pharmaceutical hub.

Sanjay Sehgal said several chemists engaged in online medicine sales may continue operations despite supporting the protest in principle.

Nearly 250 to 300 chemists in the market are already involved in online medicine sales and offer heavy discounts. If the wholesale market remains open, retailers are also unlikely to shut shops completely,” Sehgal said.

Growing conflict between the offline and online pharmacy sectors

The strike reflects the intensifying conflict between traditional pharmacy businesses and rapidly expanding e-pharmacy platforms across India.

Retail chemists argue that online companies are benefiting from regulatory gaps and aggressive pricing practices that threaten small family-run pharmacies. In contrast, online platforms maintain that digital medicine delivery improves accessibility and affordability for consumers.

The issue has increasingly become a national debate involving concerns over regulation, patient safety, competition and the future of India’s pharmaceutical retail sector.