Government Reluctant to Formalize Online Drug Sales

In a significant setback for the ePharmacy sector, government officials have displayed reluctance in formalizing the online sale of drugs and medications. A meeting between industry representatives and officials, held at the office of the Drugs Controller General of India (DCGI), aimed to address concerns related to the regulation of ePharmacies. Insiders familiar with the matter have revealed that the government remains unconvinced by the proposals presented by ePharmacy representatives and intends to maintain the current state of affairs. A high-ranking official stated, "The government is not inclined towards endorsing ePharmacies; instead, they wish to maintain the current mode of operation. The government has informed them that the sector will not be formalized in its present structure."

Prioritizing Safety and Authenticity in ePharmacy Sector

This discussion followed a previous interaction between ePharmacy stakeholders and Health Minister Mansukh Mandaviya earlier this month. The government's primary objective in regulating online drug sales is centered around mitigating risks such as the circulation of counterfeit medicines, addictive narcotics, and potential national security concerns.

During the meeting with leading ePharmacy entities, Mandaviya expressed reservations about the existing model of online drug sales and stressed the necessity for enhancing the approach to address these concerns. Prominent companies such as Tata 1mg, Netmeds, Amazon, Flipkart, Practo, Apollo, and PharmEasy were among the participants.

To combat illicit online drug sales, the health ministry is reportedly planning to introduce a national portal for ePrescriptions. It is anticipated that doctors will be required to register on this platform to provide online prescriptions, thereby enabling patients to purchase their prescribed medications.

The government's aim is to discourage the misuse of prescriptions by implementing an ePrescription network for the online sale of drugs and medicines. "The government envisions a Zomato-Swiggy model for medicine delivery, where delivery personnel would collect medicines from physical stores and deliver them to customers.

E-pharmacies can lead to potential drawbacks such as misuse of antibiotics, lack of proper medical recording and potential ethical legal concerns. Earlier this year, the ministry issued notices to 31 firms for selling medicines online without the necessary permissions.

The government's commitment to regulating the online pharmaceutical sector stems from its dedication to ensuring the safety and authenticity of medications accessible to consumers. However, the potential drawbacks outlined above highlight why some doctors are wary of ePharmacy and its potential impact on patient care and safety.

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As deliberations continue between ePharmacy stakeholders and government officials, the future of the online drug sales industry remains uncertain.

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Source-Medindia