Chemists and druggists across Madurai district will down shutters on May 20 as part of the nationwide strike called by All India Organisation of Chemists and Druggists against the online sale of medicine.

Addressing journalists at a press meet held in Madurai on Tuesday, C and D Medical Association members said online medicine sales posed a serious threat to peoples’ health and lives.

Youth were getting spoiled. Without even getting a valid doctor’s prescription they were getting access to medicines like pain relievers and using them, which was dangerous, they said.

Despite conducting numerous protests demanding a ban on the sale of medicines through various platforms, so far no action has been taken, they said.

Highlighting the demands, the members said online medicine sales should be stopped immediately to protect people particularly the youth who were purchasing pain relievers and other medicines online, regulation of unethical profit margins and discounts on life-saving medicines, and prevention of the sale of counterfeit drugs.

The members said they would also stage a protest near the Sethupathi Higher Secondary School. They have also planned to submit a petition in this regard to the State government.