Medical shops, not including hospitals and clinical pharmacies, in Dakshina Kannada will remain closed on May 20 in support of a nationwide strike called by All India Organisation of Chemists and Druggists (AIOCD).

The AIOCD has called for the strike mainly to urge the government to stop the online sale of medicines.

Addressing press persons here on Saturday, Arun Shetty, president, South Kanara Chemists and Druggists Association, said that AIOCD has demanded that the government withdraw General Statutory Rules (GSR) 817 (permission granted for online sale of medicines) of August 20, 2018, and General Statutory Rules 220 (sale of drugs to the doorstep allowed during COVID-19) of March 26, 2020.

The association opposes the uncontrolled online sale of medicines under GSR 817. Medicines are not ordinary commodities and require strict regulation and responsible dispensing. Unregulated online medicine sales may lead to the misuse of scheduled drugs, self-medication, fake prescriptions, improper storage, and the circulation of unsafe medicines, he said.

Mr. Shetty said that the temporary permission granted for the sale of medicines at the doorstep under GSR 220 during COVID-19 has not been withdrawn. Online operators are taking undue advantage of this provision. This may increase the risk of spurious, substandard, and improperly stored medicines entering the supply chain, thereby affecting patient safety.

The association expresses concern over the increasing misuse of scheduled and narcotic medicines by youths through online platforms. In many instances, attempts have reportedly been made to procure such medicines using manipulated or AI-generated prescriptions.

“Pharmacists, as responsible healthcare professionals, remain committed to supplying such medicines only after proper verification and against genuine prescriptions in the interest of protecting society and public health,” he said.

Hospital and clinical pharmacies will function as usual, and emergency medicines will be made available on the day of the strike, he said.

Medicines are life-saving substances and not ordinary commercial products. Patient safety and responsible medicine dispensing must always remain the highest priority, Mr. Shetty said.