On Friday, the All India Organisation of Chemists and Druggists (AIOCD) wrote to the Cabinet Secretary, requesting him to intervene and prohibit internet pharmacies as they violate standards and endanger the lives of people. In the letter, the association highlighted a 2018 Delhi High Court judgement that barred e-pharmacies from selling drugs online without a licence and instructed that such sales be banned immediately until further instructions were issued.

However, the letter noted that e-pharmacies have continued to operate despite court orders. They alleged that no action has been taken despite several notices issued by the Drug Controller General of India (DCGI) against several online pharmacies in February.

In addition, the chemists association presented an affidavit made by the joint drug controller in 2020, which stated that there is currently no provision under the Drugs and Cosmetics Act, 1940, and Drugs and Cosmetics Rules, 1945, for online pharmacies. According to the AIOCD, the response by the CDSCO indicated that there is no licence for the online sale of drugs.

Hence, the affidavit added that, by the instructions of the Honble High Court of Delhi, online sales of pharmaceuticals should be halted immediately.

(Source: https://health.economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/pharma/policy-regulations/chemists-body-urges-cabinet-secy-to-ban-online-pharmacies/100567042 )