AIOCD announces 24-hour strike on May 20, 2026 Over Illegal Online E-Pharmacies, Counterfeit Drugs
In the backdrop of the nationwide day-long strike called by All India Organization of Chemists & Druggists (AIOCD), one of India’s leading associations representing chemists and druggists, its West Bengal counterpart, The Bengal Chemists & Druggists Association (BCDA), has decided to support the proposed one-day national strike. However, while addressing the media in Kolkata today, BCDA expressed serious concern over the rapid proliferation of illegal online e-pharmacies, describing them as a growing threat to public health in both West Bengal and across India.
The All India Organization of Chemist & Druggist (AIOCD), the association of pharmacists in India, representing 12.40 lakh pharmacists, has announced a 24-hour nationwide strike on 20th May, 2026 in protest of flourishing of illegal online E-Pharmacy, fake counterfeit drug and unhealthy illegal price competition by deep discounts. AIOCD have addressed a letter to the Hon’ble Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi on April 7, 2026, regarding the proposed one-day nationwide strike scheduled for May 20, 2026. The strike has been called in protest against the rapid proliferation of illegal online e- pharmacies, predatory pricing practices by large corporates, and the circulation of counterfeit medicines.
Illegal e-pharmacies have emerged as a serious public health threat in India, operating outside the ambit of regulatory oversight and often selling prescription medicines without valid prescriptions or adequate verification mechanisms. These unregulated platforms enable the unchecked distribution of habit-forming drugs, antibiotics, counterfeit medicines, and substandard pharmaceutical products, thereby jeopardizing patient safety and undermining the integrity of India’s healthcare system. The easy online availability of restricted medicines has also contributed to the growing risk of self-medication, drug misuse, antimicrobial resistance, and adverse health outcomes among consumers.
In addition to compromising public health, illegal e-pharmacies create significant challenges for law enforcement and drug regulatory authorities due to their anonymous digital operations and cross-border networks. Many such entities fail to comply with mandatory licensing, storage, record-keeping, and pharmacist supervision requirements prescribed under Indian law. Their activities not only erode consumer trust in legitimate digital healthcare services but also threaten the interests of compliant pharmacies and healthcare providers. Strengthening regulatory enforcement, enhancing digital surveillance, and promoting public awareness are therefore essential to curb the proliferation of illegal e-pharmacies and safeguard public health in India.
In this regard, Mr. Prodyot Banerjee, President- BCDA stated, “Mr.J. S. Shinde, President of AIOCD, and General secretary Mr. Rajiv Singhal have addressed a letter to the Hon’ble Prime Minister sree Narendra Modi on April 7, 2026, regarding the proposed one-day nationwide strike scheduled for May 20, 2026. The strike has been called in protest against the rapid proliferation of illegal online e-pharmacies, predatory pricing practices by large corporates, and the circulation of counterfeit medicines. Copies of the letter have also been marked to the Union Home Minister, Union Health Minister, Union Commerce Minister, the Principal Secretary to the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO), the Ministries of Health and Commerce, and the DCGI, New Delhi.”
He further added, “We have already submitted several representations to the concerned ministries highlighting how illegal e-pharmacies have emerged as a significant public health concern in India. Many of these platforms operate outside the purview of regulatory oversight and allegedly dispense prescription medicines without valid prescriptions or adequate verification protocols. Such unregulated operations facilitate the indiscriminate sale of habit-forming drugs, antibiotics, counterfeit medicines, and substandard pharmaceutical products, thereby endangering patient safety and posing a serious risk to public health.”
BCDA also expressed grave concern over the alarming increase in the availability of fake drugs in West Bengal and India. Fake or counterfeit drugs pose a grave threat to public health in India, undermining the safety and effectiveness of medical treatments. These substandard or falsified medicines often contain incorrect doses, harmful additives, or no active ingredients at all, putting patients at risk of treatment failure, adverse reactions, and even resulting to death. Counterfeit drugs not only endanger individual health but also contribute to broader public health challenges, including the emergence of drug-resistant infections and the erosion of trust in the healthcare system. Despite regulatory efforts, the circulation of fake medicines remains widespread, facilitated by unregulated markets, online sales, and inadequate enforcement mechanisms.
Mr. Prithwi Bose, General Secretary BCDA, said: “In view of the increasing circulation of fake, spurious, and counterfeit drugs through unregulated supply channels, Notification G.S.R. 220(E) dated 26.03.2020 requires immediate withdrawal. The notification, issued as a temporary measure during the COVID-19 pandemic to permit home delivery of medicines, has outlived its emergency purpose and, in the absence of adequate regulatory safeguards, has facilitated misuse and unauthorized distribution of drugs. Withdrawal of the notification is therefore necessary to strengthen regulatory control, prevent illegal sale of medicines, and protect public health and patient safety.
He further added- We have identified multiple cities in West Bengal as critical hotspots where the production and circulation of spurious and counterfeit drugs have reached alarming levels. We have repeatedly brought this issue to the attention of the authorities, but unfortunately, the situation has not improved significantly. The urgent need now is for robust regulatory infrastructure, sufficient drug-testing facilities, enhanced vigilance in these hotspot cities, and the establishment of special courts to ensure swift prosecution of offenders. This is not merely a regulatory concern- it has become a serious public health threat affecting citizens across West Bengal and India.”
Notification G.S.R. 220(E) dated 26.03.2020, issued under Section 26B of the Drugs and Cosmetics Act, 1940, permitted doorstep delivery of Schedule H drugs by retail pharmacies during the COVID-19 pandemic, while excluding narcotic drugs, psychotropic substances, and drugs covered under Schedules H1 and X. The notification was introduced to ensure uninterrupted access to essential medicines during lockdown restrictions.
Compounding this problem is the unhealthy illegal price competition driven by deep discounts, particularly among online and informal pharmacies. To attract customers, some sellers resort to selling medicines below cost, circumventing regulatory pricing norms and compromising quality standards. This practice can push legitimate pharmacies into financial strain, reduce incentives for proper storage and handling of drugs, and encourage shortcuts in supply chains, further increasing the risk of counterfeit products reaching consumers. Addressing these twin challenges—counterfeit drugs and predatory pricing practices—requires stricter enforcement of pharmaceutical regulations, robust monitoring of pricing and distribution channels, and public awareness campaigns to ensure access to safe, affordable, and effective medicines.
