The Government has banned sale of drugs via websites or e-commerce platforms as a high-level panel set up by the Drug Controller of India (DCGI) is yet to submit its report on ways to bring such activities under its ambit.
Citing safety and efficacy of medicines sold through online, the country’s top drug watch-body on December 30, 2015 issued a circular, asking all the States drug controller to keep a strict vigil on online sale of medicines and take action against those indulging in such act which is in violation of the Drug and Cosmetics Act and Rules.
“The panel headed by Commissioner, FDA, Maharashtra has been set up to examine the issue of sale of drugs on the internet in the light of practices being followed in the developed countries and safety concerns. The panel is currently in the process of consultation with all the stakeholders,” said the sources in the Health Ministry.
Till the panel submits its report and subsequently a regulatory mechanism comes into operation, no drug or medicine will be allowed to sold online as safety and efficacy of medicines sold through such platforms cannot be ignored, they said.
The sub-committee has invited comments from experts from the fields of information technology, national enforcement and investigating agencies, medical council of India etc to understand their views on the subject matter.
The move to set up the panel came following fears of proliferation of online sale of medicines directly or indirectly to consumers by e-pharmacies illegally without adherence to the prescribed rules. Presently, there is no law to keep a tab on sale of drugs via internet.
It is also being felt that as self-medication is a rampant practice in India, online sale of drugs would only encourage it. “Indiscriminate use leads to patient resistance which is very dangerous as has been the case with tuberculosis drugs.’’ There are also fears that spurious or habit forming drug may be sold online by undisclosed persons as there is no specific check on the modes operandi followed by online websites.
The fears were not unfounded given that the FDA, Maharashtra a few months back raided the premises of online shopping websites like Snapdeal, Amazon and Flipcart which were distributing medicines to consumers without a valid prescription and sale bills.
In protest against the online sale, in October last, the All India Organisation of Chemists & Druggists (AIOCD) had called a nationwide chemists’ strike a few months back demanding action from the Centre against such “illegal” business.
AIOCD President JS Shinde said, “We feel that opening of doors to internet for e-pharmacy in India cannot be compared with the developed countries,” he said claiming that online pharmacies are supplying all products including I-pill, anti-depression, codeine cough syrups without confirming the authenticity of prescription and patients.