The members of A.P. Chemists and Druggists Association staging a protest at V.V. Mahal Road in Tirupati on Wednesday.
| Photo Credit: K.V. POORNACHANDRA KUMAR
Participating in a nation-wide strike, the chemists and druggists have closed their medical stores across the State on Wednesday. The members of Andhra Pradesh Chemists and Druggists Association (APCDA) demanded the Union government to immediately withdraw regulatory notifications GSR 817 (E) and GSR 220 (E), which they allege are being misused by various online platforms.APCDA president P.V. Ratnam said, “A memorandum addressed to Prime Minister Narendra Modi was submitted through District Collectors highlighting the illegal and unregulated online sale of medicines, home delivery of medicines without verified prescriptions and predatory deep discounting practices by e-commerce platforms, which are adversely affecting the small and marginal licensed chemists.”“The medicines are not ordinary commodities. The uncontrolled online sale of pills without proper verification poses a grave threat to public health, patient safety and the regulatory framework established under the Drugs and Cosmetics Act. We appeal the Central government to take immediate corrective measures to protect the patients as well as the licensed chemists,” he added. Published - May 20, 2026 08:06 pm IST
