Karnataka pharmacy shutdown likely tomorrow over online medicine sales row

People across Karnataka, especially in Bengaluru, may face serious difficulty in getting medicines on May 20 as private pharmacy owners prepare for a large-scale shutdown in protest against online medicine sales and app-based pharmacy services.

The protest has been called by the All India Organisation of Chemists and Druggists against the rapid growth of e-pharmacy platforms and deep discount models introduced by large corporate companies.

Pharmacy owners and traders have raised multiple concerns over online medicine sales. According to them, medicines are being sold online without proper verification of medical prescriptions, which they say could negatively affect public health and patient safety.

Another major issue highlighted by pharmacy associations is the aggressive discount system offered by online platforms. Traditional medical shop owners claim that large companies are providing discounts ranging between 40% and 60%, making survival difficult for neighbourhood pharmacies and small retailers.

The associations have also alleged that strict regulations imposed on physical medical stores are not being equally enforced on online pharmacy platforms. They argue that this has created unfair competition in the medicine retail sector.

In Karnataka, the protest has received strong backing from the Karnataka Chemists and Druggists Association, which has extended full support to the bandh. The Karnataka Pharma Retailers and Distributors Organisation has also announced moral support for the protest.

Due to this, thousands of private medical shops across Karnataka are expected to remain shut throughout the day on May 20. Bengaluru alone has thousands of pharmacies, and a significant number of them are likely to participate in the strike.

The shutdown could create problems for patients who depend on regular medication for chronic illnesses such as diabetes, blood pressure and heart-related conditions. People requiring urgent medicines may also face inconvenience during the bandh.

The situation may become more difficult because public transport services are also expected to face disruption, making it harder for patients to travel to hospitals or locate open pharmacies.

However, certain exemptions have been announced to avoid major hardship for the public. Medical shops located inside large hospitals and nursing homes are expected to function normally even during the protest. Pharmacy associations are also likely to provide emergency support arrangements for urgent medicine requirements.

Authorities and healthcare experts have advised the public to purchase essential medicines in advance to avoid last-minute problems. Residents have especially been asked to buy necessary tablets and emergency medicines before May 20 evening.

The protest is expected to have a noticeable impact on healthcare access across Karnataka for a day, particularly in urban areas where app-based medicine delivery services have expanded rapidly in recent years.