Pradhan Mantri Bhartiya Janaushadhi Pariyojana (PMBJP) Kendras across India will remain fully operational on Wednesday, 21 May, even as pharmacy operators nationwide observe a one-day strike demanding a clear legal framework for e-pharmacies. The PMBJK Retailer Association confirmed the decision on Tuesday, assuring patients of uninterrupted access to affordable medicines at Jan Aushadhi outlets, including those at major hospitals.

Why Chemists Are Striking

The nationwide strike has been called by chemist associations to press for uniform regulations governing the online sale of medicines — a sector that currently operates in what industry representatives describe as a regulatory grey area. Pharmacists argue that the absence of a clear legal framework poses serious risks to public health and safety.

Among the concerns flagged: the easy availability of narcotics and Schedule H drugs through online platforms without adequate prescription verification or quantity controls. Traditional chemists, by contrast, operate under the Drugs and Cosmetics Act, which mandates prescription checks and restricts the quantity of medicines dispensed per transaction.

What Jan Aushadhi Kendras Will Do Differently

The PMBJK Retailer Association announced that Jan Aushadhi Kendras will continue to serve patients, with particular emphasis on high-footfall facilities such as AIIMS and Patna Medical College and Hospital (PMCH). The move is intended to prevent disruption to patients who depend on these government-backed outlets for low-cost generic medicines.

Safety and Quality Concerns Over E-Pharmacies

Prasanna Kumar Singh, President of the Bihar Chemists and Druggists Association, warned that many medicines require strict temperature-controlled storage — commonly known as cold chain management — which is frequently compromised when drugs are shipped via courier services. He cautioned that such lapses can reduce the efficacy of medicines and, in certain cases, render them harmful to patients.

Ravi Kumar, also associated with the Bihar Chemists and Druggists Association, stressed that the same regulatory standards must apply to both online and offline pharmacies to ensure patient safety. Concerns were also raised about the circulation of counterfeit drugs and the absence of proper return and grievance mechanisms in online medicine transactions.

Economic Impact on Offline Pharmacies

The rapid growth of e-pharmacies is also taking a measurable financial toll on traditional chemists. In Patna's Govind Mitra Road — a major pharmaceutical hub — more than 900 wholesale and retail outlets reportedly generate significant monthly business, but the rise of online medicine sales has led to an estimated 10 per cent decline in revenue for offline retailers, according to association representatives.

In Bihar alone, the sector is reportedly absorbing losses of approximately ₹20 crore per month, a burden that has forced many shop owners to reduce staff. The associations argue that without regulatory parity, the financial viability of traditional pharmacies — and the employment they sustain — remains under threat.

With the strike set for Wednesday, all eyes will be on the Centre's response to the demand for a structured e-pharmacy framework — a policy gap that has persisted despite years of industry advocacy.