The All India Organisation of Chemists and Druggists (AIOCD), an association of some 8.5 lakh or so chemists from across the country, has threatened to carry out a boycott of drugs manufactured by pharmaceuticals giant Cipla if the latter decides to go ahead with its plans to invest in e-pharmacy startup Medlife, reports The Print.

As per reports, Cipla is currently involved in discussions to possibly invest more than Rs 150 crore in Medlife. Traditional chemists with physical stores are peeved as the move could allow Cipla to bypass them.

“If the company could sell directly to the customer through online channels, what would we do? With such moves, companies will become the retailer and our business will be completely wiped out,” general secretary of the AIOCD Rajiv Singhal stated.

AIOCD has as of yet not taken a final call on boycotting or banning Cipla products from its members’ outlets, but has however decided to wait for confirmation from Cipla’s side to confirm reports about its planned tie-up with Medlife.

The body plans to hold a meeting of its state heads in order to take a final call on the issue. The emergence of online pharmacies over the last few years has irked physical outlets and traditional chemists who feel their means of livelihood being being under threat from technological upheaval.