Centre Likely To Take Stern Action Against Online Pharmacies

The Union Health Ministry will be taking strong action against online pharmacies including the closure of their operations in India. 

Unchecked use of prescription drugs and maintaining data privacy are some areas in the workings of the online pharmacies that the ministry is concerned about, government officials told ANI.

“The online pharmacies are currently following that business model which can be problematic for patients who are ordering medicine online, their data privacy at risk and possibility of misuse of drugs,” sources said to ANI.

The developments have come a week after the Drug Controller General of India (DCGI) issued show-cause notices to 20 online pharmacies including Tata 1mg, Practo and Amazon, among others for selling and distributing medicines in violation of the standing provisions of the Drugs and Cosmetics Act, 1940.

Essentially, the Drugs and Cosmetics Act, 1940 manages the import, manufacturing and distribution of medicines in the country. As per the act, a company needs to get a licence for exhibiting, selling, stocking and distribution of medicines.

The DCGI also asked the online pharmacies to give clarification as to why action should not be taken against them. In the notice, the governing body said that the selling, distributing, stocking or offering for sale of medicines on an electronic platform can only be executed after getting a licence. As otherwise, the practice can potentially impact the quality of medicines and pose risk to public health.

On the same line, trader’s body Confederation of All India Traders (CAIT) has also approached the Union Health Minister Mansukh Mandaviya, urging to take cognizance of the issue of online pharmacy companies selling medicines without procuring licences.

CAIT has urged the Union Health Minister to implement Defence Minister Rajnath Singh-led Group of Ministers’ (GoM) recommendation of banning the sale of medicines online.

CAIT’s national president B.C.Bhartia and secretary general Praveen Khandelwal, demanded the Health Minister protect the interest of chemists from the onslaught of online pharmacies that are violating the Drug & Cosmetics Act and Rules.

Speaking on this issue, CAIT said that owing to various advantages, the use of technology (internet) should not be stopped for selling drugs. It further recommended that the Centre should only permit licenced online pharmacies to sell drugs online which comply with the law. 

“Our own members are adopting technology and using digital signatures, e-invoice, processing orders through WhatsApp, their website or mobile application, etc. However, this is only done by entities that have valid licences issued under the Drugs and Cosmetics Act and Rules and after due verification of prescription by registered pharmacists,” B.C.Bhartia and Praveen Khandelwa said. 

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