ALL DISTRICT MEDICINE SHOPS TO REMAIN CLOSED ON MAY 20

ALL DISTRICT MEDICINE SHOPS TO REMAIN CLOSED ON MAY 20

9-MAY-ENG 5

RAJIV NAYAN AGRAWAL

ARA-------------------------------Prioritizing the interests of medicine vendors working in the healthcare sector, as well as the public interest, the Bhojpur Chemists and Druggists Association has taken a significant decision. In support of the nationwide call issued by the All India Organization of Chemists and Druggists (AIOCD), all wholesale and retail medicine shops in the district will remain completely closed on May 20, 2026. This decision has been taken in protest against the unfair practices of e-pharmacies and corporate companies, which have become a threat to the very existence of small-scale medicine vendors.

Satyendra Kumar Singh, President of the Association, highlighted the primary reasons behind this protest, stating that the government must, with immediate effect, revoke GMR 817 of 2018 (pertaining to online medicine sales) and GMR 220 of 2020 (pertaining to the exemption granted for home delivery during the COVID-19 period). He clarified that e-pharmacies and large corporate entities are distorting market competition by offering massive discounts, despite the Central Government having already fixed the profit margins for medicine vendors.

Discussing the grave implications of this issue, the Association noted that such business policies are not only deepening the financial crisis faced by local medicine shopkeepers but also posing a significant risk to the general public. The unregulated sale of medicines through online channels has heightened the risk of counterfeit and illicit drugs entering the market—a situation that amounts to a direct compromise with public health.

All medicine shopkeepers in the district will register their dissent and protest by wearing black armbands from May 16 to May 19. Following this, a complete shutdown will be observed on May 20 to effectively convey the legitimate demands of the medicine vendors to the government. The Association has expressed regret for the inconvenience caused to patients, but has simultaneously reiterated that taking this step is absolutely essential to uphold the integrity of the pharmaceutical trade and safeguard the public interest.

The Bhojpur Chemists and Druggists Association has appealed to all medicine vendors across the district to unite and actively participate in this movement. Present at the meeting were several senior office-bearers and distinguished members of the Association, including State Vice President Pankaj Kumar Singh, Vice President Daroga Prasad Sah, Secretary Arvind Kumar, and Deputy Secretaries Arun Pathak, Mantu Dubey, Jai Prakash Keshari, and Raju Gupta.