Bengaluru, May 19 -- Even as Karnataka faces the possibility of major disruption in bus services due to the proposed transport employees' strike on May 20, people across the state are now staring at another inconvenience with private medical shops set to remain closed as part of a nationwide protest. The bandh call by pharmacy owners and distributors has received significant support in Karnataka, raising concerns over the availability of medicines during emergencies.

The nationwide protest has been organised by pharmacy associations to press for the fulfilment of various demands and to draw the attention of the Central government towards the issues faced by private medical shop owners and distributors. In Karnataka, the protest has been ...