Drug controller cracks the whip on e-pharmacies.

What is e-pharmacy?

An e-pharmacy/ internet pharmacy is a pharmacy that operates over the internet and sends the orders to customers through mail or shipping companies.

In this digital era everything is available at our doorstep on just a finger click. The government initiative for the ‘Digital India’ paved the way for e-commerce but, the concept of e-pharmacy in India is totally different, currently there is no well-defined law or rules set by the Indian government for selling prescription based medicines online delivered to the patients. The developed countries like USA, Canada, Australia and European countries have legal internet based regulatory bodies which is defined by the government verified internet pharmacies. They could easily find out the fake and real e-pharmacy websites by the displayed hyperlink seal. But, this isn’t seen in India. Annual turnover of domestic e-pharmacy sector, comprising 40-50 companies are calculated approximately to RS 2,000-3,000 Cr under the fact that they are not provided with the licence to sell medicine through online.

On 2^nd December 2019 The Drug Controller General of India (DCGI) has sent a directive to the state drug regulators to take “necessary action” in accordance with Delhi High Court’s order of December 2018 that barred online sale of medicines without a licence. They are used to operate through a licensed medicine retail partner.

The e-pharmacy industry claimed that ‘they would wait until the Central Drugs Standard Control Organization (CDSCO) issued a formal notification saying that the current model of servicing customers through generating prescriptions online would not be allowed & when it comes they will challenge it legally’. Their business is perfectly legal and it is covered under the IT Act (2000) and also the Drugs and Cosmetics Act.

Some of the personalities in the online pharmacy sector welcome the regulations to boost both the investors and consumer’s confidence. Personally I feel this would be the better idea that the e-pharmacy sector should take in consideration because, according to a survey conducted, the health ministry received more than 7,000 representations in favor of the draft rule that says ‘only government-registered e-portals can sell medicines & they have to also retain the prescriptions and verifies the details of patients and doctors’. People are more confident in the ‘licensed’ products or services generally. When the online pharmacy got licensed they don’t have to worry enough about the turnover. There will be financial benefits for both the patient and the e-pharmacy.

The industry also claimed that the sector has created over 30,000 jobs and has attracted over $700 million in investment and some of the companies are willing to corporate with the government health-care schemes.people will get benefited from these activities and they could provide more to the country's economy.