Updated By: LatestGKGS Desk
Health Ministry released draft rules for e-pharmacies on sale of drugs
Health Ministry released draft rules for e-pharmacies on the sale of drugs: Details, Aim, Features, Background
The Union Ministry of Health & Family Welfare has released for e-pharmacies to regulate online sale of medicines across India.
The draft rules on "sale of drugs by e-pharmacy" state that no person will distribute or sell, stock, exhibit or offer for sale of drugs through e-pharmacy portal unless registered.
The draft rules aimed at providing patients access to genuine drugs from registered & authentic online portals.
The draft rules once finalised will help people get genuine drugs through online pharmacies. The concerned pharmacies will be purchasing directly from the drug manufacturer so they will be able to give 20-30 percent discounts, thus benefiting the patients.
Following this, those who wish to operate e-pharmacies will only need to take one license in any state to sell drugs all over the country.
Features
The new draft rules prohibit the sale of tranquilizers, psychotropic drugs, narcotics and habit-forming drugs through the online portals.
The draft also prohibits the e-pharmacies from advertising any drug on radio, television, print or internet or any other media for any purpose.
The draft also has provisions of suspension and cancellation of registration of the e-portal if the latter contravenes any provision of the Drugs and Cosmetics Act, 1940.
Background
The Drugs and Cosmetics Act, 1940, governs the sale of medicines in India. Medicines can be sold from licensed premises only.
The Act, however, does not cover e-pharmacies at present and the government had decided to appoint a sub-committee, after receiving complaints of violations.
The draft rules released on 1st September 2018 is based on the subcommittee's recommendations.
