India, May 21 -- Medical stores across Gujarat remained closed on Tuesday as chemists and druggists joined a nationwide protest against online medicine sales and the growing presence of e-pharmacy platforms. The strike, led by the All India Organisation of Chemists and Druggists (AIOCD), affected pharmacy operations in major cities including Ahmedabad, Surat, Rajkot and Vadodara.

In Surat alone, nearly 7,000 medical stores remained shut as local chemist associations extended support to the agitation. The closure caused inconvenience to patients and residents, particularly those dependent on daily medication for chronic illnesses such as diabetes, blood pressure and other long-term health conditions.

Pharmacists alleged that the unchecke...