On Wednesday, online pharmacies received show-cause notifications from the Pharmaceuticals Controller General of India (DCGI), which enjoins them to provide justifications as to why enforcement action should not be initiated against them for marketing and supplying drugs without a license.

The authorities stated that the online platforms were operating illegally under the 1940 Drugs and Cosmetics Act. As per the notice, they were given two days to submit their replies. In accordance with the notices, the sale, stocking, exhibiting, offering for sale, or distribution of drugs through online, internet, or other electronic platforms without a license could affect the quality of the drugs and pose a risk to public health due to the possibility of drug abuse through self-medication and careless use.

According to the DCGI, e-pharmacies were discovered to be engaging in the illegal sale of pharmaceuticals online even after receiving instructions from the top regulatory body to comply with a Delhi High Court judgment. A ruling by the Supreme Court barred the respondents from selling medications online pending further orders. 

(Source: https://health.economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/pharma/dcgi-sends-notices-to-e-pharmacies-for-selling-drugs-without-licence/97835733 )