The All India Organisation of Chemists & Druggists (AIOCD) has vehemently objected to the move of the government to frame guidelines and amend the present provisions of law to regulate online pharmacy in any format in the country.

In its submission to the Harshdeep Kamble sub-committee on online pharmacy, AIOCD has suggested that it is not advisable to amend Drugs and Cosmetics Act (D&C Act) 1940, and Rules 1945 for regularising the practice of selling medicines through internet as the infrastructure now available in India is not conducive to support internet selling of medicine. Hence, it would be hazardous to allow such venture, which may prove detrimental to public health.
 
Explaining the disadvantage of online pharmacy, J S Shinde, president of AIOCD said that any amendment in D&C Act for any monitory or convenient reason, sidetracking basic scheme of law-- 'Quality medicine with utmost all care possible' would be diluted, if internet sale of medicine is allowed by amending D&C Act 1940. Entry of internet selling of drug, bypassing physical pharmacies and distributors, would paralyze the entire distribution system, this may create a monopoly situation and feared that the major business of medicine would be controlled by a handful of people.

He says, “The first impact would be on physical small timer pharmacies and distributors and second impact would be on availability of drugs requirement on chronic disease where delivery of drugs required to be instant. This is because, online pharmacies naturally focus on drugs required in lifestyle diseases. A part of business of small timer, physical pharmacies remain a critical factor to maintain their economic viability.”

“There is no way for the online pharmacy or market place to verify as to whether the prescribing doctor is really registered medical practitioner or otherwise. There is no guarantee that drugs are stored in appropriate condition during transit through courier or other means of transport. Thus, it can lead to loss of potency of drugs,” Shinde said.  

He further informed that verification of authenticity of drug prescriber, genuine pharmaceutical manufacturers, list of formulation having licenses from state licensing Authority (SLA), full proof of formulation details, with category of schedules as per D&C Act 1940 (Rules 1945) are not available on authentic website, which is a primary requirement to verify authenticity of valid prescription, prescriber, manufacturer, formulae and schedule of drugs. Without which entire drug dispensing on internet would be dangerous.

Earlier, the DCC had constituted a sub-committee under the chairmanship of Dr Harshadeep Kamble, commissioner, FDA Maharashtra, to examine the issue of online pharmacy. The sub-committee was asked to look into the provisions of Drugs and Cosmetics Act, 1940 and Rules, 1945 and also examine the practices being followed in the developed countries.

In its first meeting held on September 7, the sub-committee decided to invite comments and suggestions from the stakeholders including individuals, associations, trade bodies, companies, etc.