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Andhra Pradesh chemists urge public to stock medicines ahead of May 20 nationwide bandh
The Andhra Pradesh Chemists and Druggists Association has urged the public to buy their regular medicines in advance ahead of a nationwide bandh on May 20, 2026. The bandh is called by the All India Organisation of Chemists and Druggists to protest e-pharmacies and pricing practices, with organizers describing it as a pressure tactic to safeguard chemists' livelihoods.
Why It Matters
The call to stock up could affect medicine access and supply in the short term. It highlights tensions between traditional chemists, e-pharmacy concerns, and pricing practices that are prompting policy discussions.
Timeline
2 Events
Nationwide bandh announced for May 20, 2026 by AIOCD
May 13, 2026
The bandh on May 20, 2026 is being organized by the All India Organisation of Chemists and Druggists (AIOCD), which represents about 12.4 lakh chemists and druggists nationwide. The protest is in response to perceived inaction by the state governments on e-pharmacies and concerns over predatory pricing and deep discounting by large pharmaceutical companies. The organizers describe the bandh as an inevitable step to press the government to safeguard the livelihoods of druggists.
APCDA appeals to public to stock up on medicines
May 13, 2026
The Andhra Pradesh Chemists and Druggists Association (APCDA) has appealed to the public to buy their regular medicines in advance ahead of a nationwide bandh scheduled for May 20, 2026. The appeal comes as part of the association's response to concerns about e-pharmacies, predatory pricing, and deep discounting practices by large pharmaceutical companies. APCDA says the bandh is an inevitable step to pressure the government to safeguard the livelihood of druggists and cautions people to stock up on required medicines in advance.