AIOCD said that the online medicine business poses a serious threat to public health, serving as a gateway for counterfeit medications in the country. "We ve provided a detailed memorandum outlining these concerns. Allowing it to continue could lead to the monopolisation by big corporations and chains. In the interest of public health and to protect the younger generation from drug abuse, the Government of India should ban E-Pharmacies nationwide," the letter said.
The All India Organisation of Chemists and Druggists (AIOCD) has urged pharmaceutical companies to avoid advertising their products on e-pharmacy platforms, alleging that these platforms operate illegally. In a letter dated November 23, AIOCD stated that certain e-pharmacy platforms violate the Drugs & Cosmetics Act, 1940, and Rules of 1945, defying principles outlined in the Act.
The Drugs Controller General of India (DCGI) on Thursday held fresh consultations with stakeholders on the draft rules to regulate e-pharmacies, amid the Delhi High Court asking the government to inform it about the outcome of deliberations on the draft rules with stakeholders.