- The union states e-pharmacies are unlawful and can hinder the brand value.
- The union has also addressed letters to the head of Amazon, Flipkart and the Reliance Group.
THDNewsDesk: The union came to know that the group is considering funding in 1MG.COM, which engages in online pharmacy. Through a letter, the union states e-pharmacies are unlawful and can hinder the brand value, apart from getting it into judicial disputes.
The letter stated, “the sale and dispensation of medicines in India are covered under the Drugs & Cosmetics Act 1940 and Rules 1945. The above-said act regulates the import, manufacture and distribution of drugs whereas, the rules contain the classification of drugs and guidelines for storage, display, sale and prescription of each schedule. The mainstay of the rules under this Act is on prescription and procedure of dispensation. A prescription, in original, is required for every “prescription drug” being sold. The Rules also specify that the prescription for certain drugs needs to be endorsed during the sale. Further, the dispensation has to take place from a licensed premise for which the competent authority has issued the license. Therefore, the sale of prescription drugs and medicines through online medium is illegal. The legal regime does not permit home delivery of medicines, though recently owing to the situation of COVID-19 pandemic and an emergency-like situation, the Government allowed temporary provision for the home delivery of medicines. Still, it was meant for only neighbourhood pharmacies. It may be noted that allowing dispensation of medicines by home delivery will require extensive modification to the Drug and Cosmetics Act, apart from the Rules and the Union of India has accepted the same in its affidavit before the High Court of Madras.”
With similar anxieties, the union has also addressed letters to the head of Amazon, Flipkart and the Reliance Group, but, it has not obtained any information from the other companies.
Rajiv Singhal, General Secretary, AIOCD stated, “AIOCD is opposing e-pharmacies because they are all illegal. Our 8.50 lakh chemists have proved their services during the lockdown in India. Amazon, Reliance and Flipkart know very well that theses E- pharmacies are illegal and are doing business against the Delhi High Court Order, hence they have not replied to us till date. We will fight for our right and the bread and butter of 8.50 members, which totals to approx 2.50 crores family members as well as our staff.”
Source-Express Pharma