Thane: The All India Organization of Chemists and Druggists on Monday said over 15 lakh chemists and druggists across the country will keep their medical stores closed on May 20 to protest against illegal online sale of medicines and “unprofessional competition” by corporate companies.Addressing a press conference in Thane, AIOCD president and former MLC Jagannath Shinde said the nationwide bandh has been called to demand withdrawal of notifications issued during the COVID-19 pandemic that allegedly enable abuse of online drug sales.“During the bandh, medical shops attached to hospitals will remain open and emergency medical services will not be disrupted,” he said.Shinde said online sales have increased the prevalence of counterfeit medicines, antibiotics and prescription drugs, posing a serious threat to public health, especially the youth.“Online sale of medicines has become dangerous for the country and needs to be checked on priority basis. Moreover, huge discounts offered by online companies are proving to be the death knell for small medicine sellers and retailers,” he alleged.Shinde pointed out that the Center had issued special exemptions to ensure home delivery of medicines during the coronavirus pandemic, but those provisions continued even though the pandemic ended several years ago.He said that online companies are taking advantage of these discounts and indulging in unfair competition by offering discounts ranging from 20 to 50 percent.Thane Chemists and Druggists Association President Vilas Joshi and other officials were present at the press conference.