New Delhi, May 20 -- The All-India Organisation of Chemists and Druggists (AIOCD), which represents nearly 12.4 lakh chemists, pharmacists and drug distributors across India, has announced a nationwide strike on 20 May. The protest is expected to disrupt the supply of medicine in several parts of the country for the day.

The association says the protest aims to highlight regulatory gaps that, in its view, have allowed e-pharmacies and instant medicine delivery platforms to operate without sufficient oversight.

The AIOCD has demanded that the Centre withdraw two notifications-- GSR 220(E) and GSR 817(E).

The association argues that these provisions have allowed online pharmacies to operate in what it describes as a "legal grey area", wi...