Tamil Nadu Chemists and Druggists Association (TNCDA) has announced a statewide, single-day shutdown of all member retail pharmacy outlets on May 20, following a directive issued by the All India Organisation of Chemists and Druggists (AIOCD).

The association has formally notified the Director of Drugs Control in Chennai that retail medicine shops across all districts in Tamil Nadu will remain closed from morning to night on Wednesday as part of a coordinated protest against existing central trade policies and operational challenges within the pharmaceutical distribution sector.

According to TNCDA President SA Ramesh, the protest is primarily driven by concerns over the growing presence of corporate e-pharmacy networks and online drug sales platforms. The association alleges that unregulated online medicine delivery services are threatening the livelihood of traditional retail pharmacies while undermining the statutory framework governing prescription drug sales and patient safety.

The trade body said the shutdown is intended to urge the Union government to review current pharmaceutical distribution policies and strengthen regulatory enforcement against digital medicine platforms.

Despite the strike, the association has stated that emergency arrangements have been put in place to ensure uninterrupted access to life-saving medicines. TNCDA has established a statewide emergency response framework through district-level office-bearers to address urgent medical requirements and prevent disruption in critical pharmaceutical supplies.

Under the emergency protocol, the mobile numbers of district-level presidents, secretaries and treasurers will remain operational round the clock to coordinate emergency medicine distribution. District associations have also submitted contact details of local representatives to Assistant Directors of Drugs Control across the state to facilitate quick coordination during medical emergencies.

At the state level, TNCDA has constituted a central emergency coordination desk that will function from 8 am to 10 pm on the day of the shutdown. The monitoring team will be led by state president SA Ramesh along with general secretary G Ashok, administrative secretary S Elangovan and treasurer M Ganesamoorthy.

The association said the protest is aimed at protecting public health frameworks and ensuring regulatory compliance within the pharmaceutical sector, while maintaining mechanisms to support patients requiring urgent access to medicines during the shutdown period.