Bhubaneswar, May 13: The Utkal Chemists and Druggists Association has called for a statewide shutdown of medicine shops across Odisha on May 20 in protest against the growing online sale of medicines, which the association claims is severely affecting traditional pharmacy businesses and their employees.

In a press statement issued on Wednesday, the association expressed strong opposition to online drug sales, alleging that the practice is threatening the livelihood of thousands of chemists and workers dependent on the retail medicine trade across the state.

Association General Secretary P. Satyanarayan and Secretary Prashant Mahapatra said the organisation represents nearly 30,000 medicine traders in Odisha, directly supporting around 2.5 lakh families. They alleged that the rapid expansion of online medicine delivery platforms has led to a sharp decline in business for local pharmacies, pushing many traders and employees towards financial distress.

The office bearers further claimed that the online sale of drugs and cosmetics violates existing rules and regulations governing pharmaceutical trade. Despite this, they alleged that authorities have failed to take stringent action against such operations.

The association stated that the May 20 bandh is intended to draw the government’s attention to the issue and demand immediate intervention to regulate or stop online medicine sales in the interest of small traders and public safety.

Chemists and druggists across Odisha are expected to participate in the shutdown. The association has also warned that if the government fails to address their concerns, they may intensify their agitation with larger protests and demonstrations in the coming days.

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