Prayagraj Chemists’ Strike Impacts Medicine Supply Across City, Traders Protest Against Online Pharmacies and E-Pharmacy Business

Medical stores across Prayagraj and adjoining rural areas largely remained shut on Wednesday following a bandh call given by the Allahabad Chemist and Druggist Association and the Chemist and Druggist Association retailers.

The protest was organised against the growing online medicine business and the expansion of e-pharmacy services, which local traders claim are severely affecting traditional retail chemists.

As part of the agitation, medicine traders took out a large rally from Leader Road to Balson Crossing, raising slogans and holding public meetings at several locations along the route.

The shutdown had a visible impact on the pharmaceutical market, with traders estimating business losses of nearly Rs 25 crore during the day.

Despite the widespread closure, some areas continued to offer limited relief to patients and customers. More than three dozen medical stores located near Swaroop Rani Nehru Medical College remained operational.

In addition, outlets of generic medicine chains, Apollo Pharmacy and Davaindia, also stayed open, ensuring that emergency medicines remained accessible to people in need.

By evening, several neighbourhood medical shops across the city gradually resumed operations.

The rally, led by association presidents Anil Dubey and Rana Chawla, witnessed participation from a large number of wholesale and retail medicine traders.

On Leader Road, all 300 wholesale medicine shops remained shut throughout the day, while most establishments near Balson Crossing also kept their shutters down in support of the protest.

Addressing traders during the demonstrations, Anil Dubey described illegal e-pharmacy operations as one of the biggest concerns facing the pharmaceutical trade today.

He alleged that medicines were being sold online without adequate monitoring or regulatory control, creating risks for both consumers and licensed pharmacists.

Trader leader Nikhil Malang expressed concern over the repeated use of AI-generated prescriptions, warning that such practices could lead to misuse and unsafe medication sales.

Paramjeet Singh said the easy availability of antibiotics and habit-forming medicines through online platforms poses a serious threat to public health and could encourage self-medication and drug abuse.

Rana Chawla accused major e-commerce companies of destabilising small businesses by offering medicines at discounts far higher than what local retailers can match.

According to him, online platforms are giving discounts of up to double the rates available at neighbourhood medical stores, making it increasingly difficult for small chemists to survive in the market.

At the same time, the bandh did not receive unanimous support from all trader groups. Lalu Mittal, president of the Prayag Chemist Association, said most medicine shops affiliated with his organisation remained open on Wednesday.

He noted that shopkeepers near SRN Hospital had already decided not to participate in the shutdown due to the constant demand for emergency medicines in the area.

Several medical stores in localities such as Kamla Nehru Hospital Area, Bai Ka Bagh, Kareli, Atarsuiya, Gaus Nagar, Mirapur and Jhunsi also continued operations during the day.

Lalu Mittal later thanked traders who chose not to support the bandh, saying their decision helped ensure uninterrupted access to medicines for patients and their families.