More than 25,000 medical shops remained closed across Telangana on Wednesday, including over 12,000 stores in Hyderabad, following a nationwide bandh call given by the All India Organisation of Chemists and Druggists (AIOCD). Chemists are protesting against online medicine sales, heavy corporate discounts, and recent drug regulation amendments, claiming they threaten small pharmacies and could increase the circulation of spurious medicines.
Despite the shutdown, pharmacies attached to hospitals were allowed to remain open to ensure uninterrupted access to emergency and life-saving medicines. The Telangana Drugs Control Administration (DCA) urged the public not to panic and assured that essential medicines would continue to be available throughout the state. Officials have been directed to stay alert and respond quickly to any medicine-related emergencies or public complaints.
State Health Minister Damodar Rajanarasimha instructed authorities to take all necessary measures so that patients do not face hardship during the bandh. The DCA also stated that local drug inspectors and corporate medical stores would coordinate to provide medicines in emergency situations. The protest has intensified the ongoing debate over the growing influence of online pharmacies and their impact on public health and traditional medical retailers.
