Norms for online pharmacy to be submitted to DCGI soon

Mumbai, October, 2016,

Guidelines on online pharmacy, currently being reviewed by a Sub-Committee set up by the 48th Drug Consultative Committee under the chairmanship of Maharashtra Food and Drug Administration Commissioner Dr Harshdeep Kamble, is all set to be submitted to the Drug Controller General of India (DCGI) in over a week time for further recommendations and review.

 

This will mark a positive step towards formulating a policy and subsequent release of a set of guidelines on the use of information technology in online pharmacy and authorize its legal validity. Online pharmacy is currently governed by Information Technology Act, 2000 and Drugs and Cosmetics Act, 1940.

 

In most countries, the legitimate online pharmacies are given specific operating licenses that are shared with consumers to fight the menace of cross border internet pharmacies.

 

Meanwhile, Maharashtra FDA has maintained that online pharmacies can sell only OTC drugs and not prescription drugs until the policy on online pharmacy is framed. The DCGI had also earlier directed all the state drugs controllers to keep a strict watch on online sale of drugs and take action if there is violation of the Drugs and Cosmetics Act and Rules there under.

 

Based on Bombay HC recent order to curb illegal online sale of medicines, the state regulator has also directed its drug inspectors to enhance vigil on online sale of Schedule H drugs by unregistered firms/websites. HC gave the order on a petition filed against advertisements of Schedule H drugs in electronic media and other digital media detrimental to patient safety.

 

The HC has said that the state government also has to file reply to tackle the menace of online sale of drugs. The HC directive states that the state government shall, therefore, take steps to get in touch with the concerned departments namely the Information Technology (IT) department and information and broadcasting departments and inform the court what steps they propose to take and stop advertisement and sale of such drugs.

 

Earlier, the state government was directed to file an affidavit stating therein what action is taken by them against the said online sale of drugs. A detailed affidavit-in-reply has been filed by the state government in which they have given a chart which shows the actions taken against various individuals at the complaints which are filed against them.