All medicine shops across Odisha will remain closed on May 20 as the Utkal Chemist and Druggist Association (UCDA) protests against online pharmacies, sparking widespread anxiety among patients.
The UCDA argues that the Drugs and Cosmetics Act lacks clear provisions for e-pharmacies. While the central government temporarily permitted online sales as an emergency measure during COVID-19, the policy was never withdrawn. This has severely impacted around 30,000 local traders.
Beyond business losses, the association raised serious health concerns, alleging that online platforms bypass safety checks by selling discounted medicines without valid prescriptions.
The UCDA emphasizes that the strike is a crucial stand to protect public health safety and ensure medicine quality, which they claim is being compromised by unregulated digital sales.