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Pharmacies in Tripura will shut down on May 20, 2026, in solidarity with a nationwide strike called by the All India Organisation of Chemists and Druggists, the Tripura Chemists and Druggists Association announced on May 10. The strike, affecting approximately 3,000 outlets, aims to pressure the government to halt online medicine sales, restrict deep corporate discounts, and stop the circulation of spurious drugs.
Industry representatives stated that online pharmacies and aggressive pricing by corporate chains are undermining small and medium-scale druggists, threatening livelihoods across the sector. The association expressed regret over public inconvenience but emphasized the urgency of their demands.
The Tripura State Health and Family Welfare Department and the State Drug Control Authority have taken steps to mitigate the strike's impact on medicine availability and health services, officials confirmed. Emergency supplies and alternative distribution mechanisms are being coordinated to ensure continuity of care.
The strike is set to last 24 hours, and the state government will monitor the situation closely, with officials expected to review the response and public feedback in the following days.