The Drug Controller General of India (DCGI) is currently reviewing a study that would allow optimum use of innovation and technology in online pharmacy by preparing a registry of legitimate online players following which the system of online pharmacy will be governed under a centralised portal as per the provisions of the law.

Online pharmacy is currently governed by Information Technology Act, 2000 and Drugs and Cosmetics Act, 1940.
 
Dr G N Singh, DCGI, says, “To help old patients and who lack access to offline pharmacies, the centralised portal with a registry of legitimate players in online pharmacy is the need of the hour.  We have considered putting in place such a system which could use technology in the interest of patient safety considering the current scenario.”

The Indian Internet Pharmacy Association (IIPA) had also in the past urged the sub-committee on e-pharmacy formed by the DCGI under the chairmanship of Maharashtra Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Commissioner Dr Harshdeep Kamble to help set up a registry of online pharmacies to ensure clarity on the legitimate players and frame interim guidelines.

In most countries, the legitimate players are given specific operating licenses that are shared with consumers to fight the menace of cross border internet pharmacies. IIPA had also recommended a similar model for India, and also a crackdown on all illegitimate players, online and offline.

Meanwhile, DCGI has directed all the state drug regulators to keep a tab on online pharmacies selling prescription drugs until the guidelines on the same are framed. All the state/UT drugs controllers have been directed 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 thereunder.

IIPA is a group of online pharmacies represented by 1mg.com, Bookmeds, mChemist, Medidart, Medlife, Medstar, Netmeds, Pharmeasy, Zigy.com, SaveOnMedicals and Savemymeds.

IIPA has pinpointed that there are multiple online pharmacies operating from different parts of the world that need to be monitored. This according to them will enable legitimate players to develop their business in this space and bring in the much needed innovation and technology driven transparency in this sector, leveraging best practices from across the world.