Pharmacies shut in protest
Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, May 20 2026:
As in other States, pharmacies across Manipur were closed today in protest against the online sale of medicines.
A press release issued by the Manipur Chemists & Druggists Association (MCDA) stated that the strike was observed in response to a call by the All India Organisation of Chemists and Druggists (AIOCD) against the online sale of medicines and related issues affecting public health and small chemist shops.
During the strike, the organisation submitted a memorandum to the Prime Minister outlining a series of demands.
In the memorandum, the organisation expressed concern over the unregulated online sale of medicines, the sale and home delivery of medicines without valid and verified prescriptions, and predatory deep discounting by online platforms.
The MCDA demanded the immediate withdrawal of Government notifications allegedly being misused by various online platforms and quick-commerce operators to conduct uncontrolled sales of medicines.
Saying that medicines are not ordinary commodities, it added that sale of medicines without proper verification poses a grave threat to public health and the regulatory framework established under the Drugs and Cosmetics Act.
The chemist fraternity urged the Central Government to take immediate corrective measures in the larger interest of public safety and protection of lakhs of licensed chemists and their employees.




