On May 20, more than 12.4 lakh chemists in India will close their shops in protest against online pharmacies that allegedly accept AI-generated fake prescriptions to sell restricted and banned drugs, raising concerns over patient safety and regulatory gaps.
- Over 12.4 lakh chemists to shut shops nationwide on May 20
- Protest targets online pharmacies accepting AI-generated fake prescriptions
- Government has not finalized e-pharmacy rules since 2018
What happened
The All India Organisation of Chemists and Druggists (AIOCD) announced a nationwide shutdown of over 12.4 lakh chemist shops on May 20 to protest against online pharmacy platforms that allegedly accept AI-generated fake prescriptions to dispense controlled substances such as antibiotics, opioids, psychotropic drugs, and banned medicines. This strike is a direct response to recent investigations revealing fabricated prescriptions being used to access restricted drugs without proper verification.
The chemists' trade body has formally submitted a memorandum to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, highlighting the lack of government action on regulating e-pharmacy operations. They argue that online platforms bypass the mandatory prescription verification process required under Drug Rule 65 of the Drugs and Cosmetics Rules, 1945, thus posing significant patient safety risks.
Why it matters
India’s online pharmacy sector has operated without finalized licensing or regulatory frameworks since draft e-pharmacy rules were proposed in 2018 but never enacted. This regulatory vacuum has allowed platforms like Tata 1mg, PharmEasy, Apollo Pharmacy, Blinkit, Zepto, and Swiggy Instamart to operate without a unified standard for prescription verification or proper licensing. The temporary relaxation of prescription verification rules during the 2020 Covid lockdown has also remained unrescinded, enabling continued minimal scrutiny of online drug sales.
The consequences are particularly acute for rural and semi-urban areas, where physical chemists serve as critical healthcare access points. The chemist strike underscores fears of market destabilization caused by online platforms offering deep discounts—sometimes up to 50%—well above legal retail margins, threatening the viability of millions of local pharmacies and the livelihoods of an estimated 50 million people connected to the sector.
What to watch next
The government’s response to AIOCD’s demands will be closely monitored, as the chemist body has warned of further escalation if no concrete action is taken post-shutdown. Key issues include officially declaring AI-generated prescriptions invalid and finalizing e-pharmacy regulations to enforce proper licensing and prescription verification standards.
Opposition from some regional chemist associations, which caution that a shutdown could unintentionally drive consumers to strengthen online platforms, will continue to influence the debate. Meanwhile, regulators and lawmakers must decide how to balance patient safety, market competition, and access to medicines as the e-pharmacy industry grows amid evolving technology and regulatory challenges.