CDSCO orders contingency plan as 20,000 chemists strike May 20 over e-pharmacy threat

India's drug regulator directed state controllers to keep medicines flowing during AIOCD's May 20 shutdown protesting e-pharmacies and deep discounting. Chain pharmacies, Jan Aushadhi Kendras and hospital outlets stay open, exposing the channel shift squeezing 850,000 traditional chemists serving 50M dependents.

— Filed Wed, 20 May, 2026, 01:06 IST · Source ET Small Business · Updated

CDSCO issued an advisory to state drug controllers to prevent medicine shortages during AIOCD's May 20 strike protesting e-pharmacies and deep discounting. Chain pharmacies, Jan Aushadhi Kendras and hospital pharmacies will remain open.