What TV doesn't, print can't; we deliver.
What TV doesn't, print can't; we deliver.
Since the start of Covid-19 pandemic, India has seen a significant increase in online sales of medicine with no exact way of safeguarding patient data privacy, prompting the ministry to intervene.
New Delhi: Amid mounting pressure over regulation on online sale of medicines, Union health minister Mansukh Mandaviya is all set to hold a meeting with e-pharmacy representatives soon to discuss concerns about data privacy and malpractices plaguing the industry.
Irrational use of prescription drugs, sale of drugs without prescription and other issues flagged by pharma bodies will be discussed during the meeting, highly-placed sources in the ministry told The New Indian.
Since the start of Covid-19 pandemic, India has seen a significant increase in online sales of medicine with no exact way of safeguarding patient data privacy, prompting the ministry to intervene.
E-pharmacies in India follow the Drugs and Cosmetics Act 1940, the Drugs and Cosmetics Rules 1945, the Pharmacy Act 1948, and the Medical Act 1956.
The Central government may “regulate, restrict, or prohibit the sale or distribution of any drug by online mode, by notification” when the 2024 New Drugs, Medical Devices, and Cosmetics Bill becomes a legislation.
Concerns over e-pharmacies arose after the Drug Controller General of India (DCGI) sent showcase notices to 20 e-pharmacies, including Practo, NetMeds, MediBuddy, Tata 1mg, Amazon, Flipkart, and Apollo, among others. The DCGI is the head of the Central Drugs Standard Control Organization of the Government of India, responsible for approving licenses for specified categories of drugs.
It was found that many of these e-pharmacies were selling drugs that strictly required registered prescriptions from doctors. The minister’s meeting with e-pharmacy representatives will seek to address these issues and ensure that patients receive safe and appropriate medical treatment.
The All India Organization of Chemists and Druggists, which represents over 12 lakh chemists in the country, has already sent letters to the ministry demanding its intervention and framing of relevant laws to address its concerns.
The organization has flagged the anti-competitive and monopolistic business practices of e-pharmacies. The national trade body has long been asking for the Centre’s intervention and timely action against illegal practices by e-pharmacies.
In February, the pharma body announced widespread protests over their demands, but postponed it until further notice following a meeting chaired by Union health minister Mandaviya.
AIOCD points out that the illegal business practices of E-pharmacies and predatory pricing by big corporate chains have affected trade members badly. Corporate entities’ dominance with illegal sale of medicines through online mode and predatory pricing strategy and approach have impacted the livelihood of 12 lakh members, it argues.
