Members of Bihar Chemists and Druggists Association (BCDA) stage protest in Patna. Photo: Aftab Alam Siddiqui
By A CorrespondentÂ
Patna: A one-day nationwide shutdown called by the All India Organisation of Chemists and Druggists (AIOCD) on May 20, 2026 received unprecedented support from the chemist and druggist community across the country, including Bihar. From Kashmir to Kanyakumari, the fraternity stood united, demonstrating its collective strength and ensuring the success of the protest.
Under the leadership of the Bihar Chemists and Druggists Association (BCDA), medicine retailers across all districts of the state voluntarily kept their establishments closed in a peaceful and disciplined manner. In the run-up to the shutdown, an extensive awareness campaign had been carried out from May 15. Posters were put up, black badges were worn, and public outreach programmes were organised to inform people about the objectives of the movement.
The association expressed deep gratitude to chemists across the state for their cooperation and commitment in making the protest successful. It also thanked all news media platforms — electronic, print and social media — for effectively conveying the key message of the shutdown to the government as well as the general public, highlighting concerns related to public health and the future of the trade.
The organisers emphasised that the protest was not driven by commercial interests, but aimed at safeguarding public health, ensuring the reliability of the drug distribution system, and protecting the future of lakhs of small and medium licensed medicine retailers.
Key demands of the movement include:
- A ban on the unregulated and unchecked online sale of medicines.
- Effective control over the sale and home delivery of medicines without valid drug licences and lawful prescriptions.
- Prohibition of deep discounting practices adopted by e-commerce platforms, which adversely affect traditional licensed chemists.
- Establishment of a clear, transparent and stringent regulatory framework before permitting online sale of medicines, ensuring patient safety, legal compliance and accountability.
- Review of notifications such as GSR 817(E) and GSR 220(E) to prevent misuse.
The association further pointed out key legal and practical inconsistencies in the current system, noting that licences issued under the Drugs and Cosmetics Act are specific to a particular premises and do not automatically permit the display, promotion or sale of medicines over the internet.
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