AIOCD's nationwide pharmacy bandh fizzles as chains, Jan Aushadhi, AMRIT stay open
AIOCD's May 20 strike call against e-pharmacies failed to land, with retail associations across 12 states refusing to join. Major chains, hospital pharmacies, Jan Aushadhi Kendras and AMRIT outlets remained operational, citing the drug regulator's assurance to review the e-pharmacy framework. The 12.40 lakh-chemist body's leverage against online players is visibly weakening.
AIOCD's nationwide pharmacy bandh on May 20 against e-pharmacies has fizzled, with major chains, hospital pharmacies, Jan Aushadhi and AMRIT outlets staying open. Retail pharmacy associations from 12 states declined to join, citing the drug regulator's assurance to review e-pharmacy framework.
Why this matters
Reverses AIOCD's pre-strike posture: a body claiming 12.4 lakh chemists called a May 20 shutdown over e-pharmacy discounts, but state-level defections and the CDSCO review pledge collapsed the protest.
Retail-company signals steady at 580 in the last 90 days.