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The Telangana Drugs Control Administration (DCA) on Tuesday (May 19, 2026) issued a public advisory assuring uninterrupted access to essential and life-saving medicines during the one-day nationwide bandh called by the All India Organisation of Chemists and Druggists (AIOCD) on May 20.
According to the advisory, a meeting was held with the Telangana chapter of the AIOCD, during which it was decided that pharmacy stores attached to hospitals would remain open to avoid inconvenience to patients and the public. The DCA also stated that district chapters of the chemists’ body would remain in close coordination with Drug Inspectors to ensure medicines could be arranged from local stores in emergency situations.
Corporate medical stores, including Apollo and MedPlus, had been advised to keep their outlets operational during the bandh, the DCA said.
They further added that members of the public facing difficulties in obtaining essential or emergency medicines on May 20 could immediately contact the concerned local Drug Inspector or the Assistant Director of the Drugs Control Administration for assistance and intervention.
The department said all field officers had been instructed to remain vigilant and respond promptly to issues related to medicine availability and public grievances.
Published – May 19, 2026 05:02 pm IST
