35,000 medical stores across Gujarat to stay closed in nationwide protest against online sales of medicine

Medical stores across Gujarat will down shutters on Wednesday as chemists intensify their protest against online medicine sales and what they call the government’s failure to crack down on counterfeit drugs. More than 35,000 medical stores across the state, including over 3,000 in Ahmedabad, will remain closed as part of a nationwide strike.

Chemist associations claim over 12.5 lakh medicine shops across India are joining the protest. In Saurashtra alone, more than 6,000 stores are expected to remain shut.

The protest centres around the unchecked sale of medicines through online platforms. Chemists allege fake drugs continue to circulate openly despite repeated warnings and seizures worth over ₹150 crore in recent years. They are demanding stricter laws against counterfeit medicines and action against alleged commission-driven practices in the corporate healthcare sector.

The associations have also sought the withdrawal of two draft notifications issued during the Covid period, arguing they favour large players over small retailers.

Despite the shutdown, emergency medicine services will continue. Hospital-based medical stores in Ahmedabad, Surat, Vadodara and Rajkot will remain operational, along with Jan Aushadhi Kendras. In villages without hospitals, at least one medicine shop will stay open to handle emergency requirements.

Chemist bodies insist the strike will not severely disrupt access to essential medicines, though routine purchases are likely to be affected throughout the day.