Owaisi Throws His Weight Behind Telangana Chemists in Their Fight Against E‑Pharmacies

Hyderabad – In a move that has raised eyebrows across the state’s medical trade, Asaduddin Owaisi, the charismatic leader of the All India Majlis‑e‑Ittehadul Muslimeen (AIMIM), stood shoulder‑to‑shoulder with Telangana’s chemists this week. The chemists, long‑time custodians of the community’s health needs, have been sounding the alarm over a surge of e‑pharmacies that, they argue, are chipping away at their livelihood.

During a packed gathering at the historic Shahi Jamia Masjid compound, Owaisi listened to the grievances of shop owners who claim the digital platforms undercut prices, bypass regulatory checks, and often dispense medicines without proper prescriptions. “Our people need safe, reliable access to medicines,” he said, pausing for effect before adding, “and that cannot be left to unregulated internet outlets.”

The demand is simple, yet contentious: a clear, enforceable framework that either licenses e‑pharmacies under strict conditions or restricts their operations altogether. Chemists want the state to enforce existing drug‑sale regulations, ensure that any online retailer complies with the same checks that brick‑and‑mortar stores must follow, and to impose penalties for violations.

Owaisi’s backing gives the movement a political punch. The AIMIM, a dominant force in Hyderabad’s municipal politics, has the ear of the state government. By publicly aligning with the pharmacists, Owaisi is signaling that the issue isn’t just a commercial tussle—it’s a matter of public health and consumer safety.

However, the e‑pharmacy lobby isn’t staying quiet. Representatives from several online platforms argue that they are simply modernizing the drug‑distribution chain, bringing convenience to a tech‑savvy population, especially in the wake of the pandemic when doorstep delivery became a lifeline. They point to data suggesting that regulated e‑pharmacies actually reduce counterfeit drug circulation by maintaining digital audit trails.

Still, the chemists counter that many of these platforms operate in a grey zone, often flouting the Drugs and Cosmetics Act. “We see prescriptions being ignored, dosage instructions skipped, and in some cases, outright sales of controlled substances,” one veteran shop owner told the gathering, his voice wavering with both frustration and resolve.

The state government, for its part, has promised to look into the matter. A senior health official, speaking on condition of anonymity, mentioned that a committee is being formed to review the existing rules and propose amendments that balance innovation with safety. “We understand the concerns of our traditional dealers, and we also recognize the need for digital transformation,” the official said.

For now, the chemists have launched a series of peaceful protests, including street rallies and social‑media campaigns using the hashtag #ProtectOurPharmacies. Owaisi, ever the firebrand, pledged to raise the issue in the legislative assembly, urging lawmakers to act swiftly.

Whether this alliance will reshape the pharmacy landscape in Telangana remains to be seen. What’s clear, however, is that the conversation about who gets to dispense medicines—and under what conditions—has entered the public arena with renewed vigor.