FDA orders FIR against Snapdeal.com top brass

The Maharashtra Food and Drugs Administration (FDA) has ordered the filing of a first information report (FIR) against e-commerce major Snapdeal.com's CEO, directors and distributors on charges of selling prescription drugs online, a top official said here on Friday.

FDA Commissioner Harshadeep Kamble said that the action follows raids and investigations against Snapdeal.com over the past two weeks. 

"Despite a written assurance from the company, it was found that Snapdeal.com continued to offer, exhibit and sell drugs like I-Pill, Unwanted-72 and emergency contraceptive drugs through their website. We ordered these drugs online and received them on April 24," Kamble told IANS.

When contacted, a spokesperson for Snapdeal.com in New Delhi assured that a concerned person would comment on the FDA actions soon.Kamble said the company's actions contravened the Drugs and Cosmetics Act, 1940.He explained that only a certified medical practitioner can sell the Schedule H drugs and only when prescribed by a doctor.

Since such type of online sale of drugs is not allowed, the FDA has ordered lodging of police complaints against Snapdeal.com CEO Kunal Bahl, other directors of the company and distributors of the drug.