MedicineStrike – Delhi Faces Pharmacy Shutdown and Transport Disruption Fears
MedicineStrike – Residents across Delhi experienced major inconvenience on Wednesday after a nationwide strike by chemists disrupted the availability of medicines in several parts of the city. At the same time, commuters are preparing for possible travel difficulties, as auto and cab drivers have announced a three-day protest over increasing fuel costs and operational expenses.
Chemist Strike Impacts Medicine Availability Across Delhi
The shutdown was part of a nationwide protest organised by the All India Organisation of Chemists and Druggists (AIOCD). A large number of retail medical stores remained closed throughout the day in multiple areas of the national capital, creating difficulties for patients and their families.
Localities including Palam, Rohini, Shahdara, Mayur Vihar, Yusuf Sarai, Malviya Nagar and Daryaganj witnessed widespread closure of pharmacy shops. Medical stores located near major hospitals, including Sir Ganga Ram Hospital, were also affected, forcing many people to search for alternative options to purchase essential medicines.
The protest was mainly directed against the rapid growth of online pharmacy platforms. Traditional chemist shop owners argued that deep discounts and lower prices offered by e-pharmacy companies are severely affecting small offline businesses. According to several shopkeepers, independent pharmacies are struggling to survive as customers increasingly prefer ordering medicines online at cheaper rates.
Concerns Raised Over Online Medicine Sales
Chemist associations also highlighted concerns related to prescription verification and safety standards followed by some digital pharmacy platforms. They claimed that certain online services may not be conducting strict checks before selling regulated medicines, raising concerns about patient safety and misuse of prescription drugs.
Retail pharmacy owners maintained that physical stores continue to follow government regulations and documentation procedures carefully, while online platforms should also face stronger monitoring and compliance requirements.
Despite the widespread strike, some Jan Aushadhi Kendras and a limited number of private medical stores continued operations, offering partial relief to residents in urgent need of medicines.
Residents Express Frustration Over Public Inconvenience
The impact of the bandh was visible throughout the city, especially among families seeking immediate medical supplies. A young resident named Vanij said he visited nearby pharmacies to buy medicines for his grandmother but found most shops shut because of the protest.
Another resident, Kuljeet Kaur, questioned the timing and impact of the strike, saying medical emergencies can occur at any moment. She added that many pharmacists had earlier encouraged customers to shift towards online medicine delivery services, making the protest appear contradictory to some consumers.
Meanwhile, Biju Janata Dal MP Sasmit Patra supported discussions between the government and pharmacy associations. He said authorities should work towards protecting the interests of traditional chemist businesses while also addressing the expansion of e-pharmacy services in the country.
Auto and Cab Driver Strike May Disrupt Daily Travel
Alongside the pharmacy shutdown, Delhi residents are also bracing for possible transport disruptions later this week. Auto-rickshaw and cab drivers have announced a strike scheduled from May 21 to May 23, citing rising Compressed Natural Gas prices and increasing daily operational costs.
Drivers stated that repeated hikes in fuel prices have reduced their earnings significantly and are forcing them to revise passenger fares. The price of CNG in Delhi has reportedly reached close to Rs 77 per kilogram, adding financial pressure on transport operators.
Cab driver Angkit Joshi explained that even a small increase in fuel prices directly affects trip fares. According to him, drivers often have no option but to increase rates by Rs 1 to Rs 2 per kilometre to manage expenses. He also warned that commuters may struggle to find vehicles if the strike continues for several days.
Rising Travel Costs Add to Commuter Burden
Many regular commuters have already started feeling the impact of higher transport expenses. Student Ananya Gulati, who frequently uses auto-rickshaws for travel, said the fare for her 21-kilometre journey has increased sharply in recent weeks. What previously cost around Rs 240 now reportedly reaches nearly Rs 350, placing an additional burden on daily passengers.
The combined effect of the chemist strike and the proposed transport protest has raised concerns over public convenience in Delhi, particularly for residents dependent on affordable medicines and public transport services.