Drugs Consultative Committee is all set to deliberate on the norms to be devised for the online pharmacies. The meeting, led by Dr. GN Singh, drugs controller general of India (DCGI) is scheduled to be held on July 24, 2015 at New Delhi in this regard. The focus of the meeting will be on key licensing norms for online pharmacies.

There are several players in this space and are indulging in trading without any ethical norms. While some online pharmacy operations were stalled by the state drugs control departments, there are many which are seen to continue this activity. The current drug rules do not permit online pharmacy services and there is an urgent need to frame regulations for the same. Since the DCGI office is cognizant of this disturbing trend, issuing a set of norms for online pharmacies will the top priority, stated officials.

With the team from the DCGI office examining the US FDA’s Verified Internet Pharmacy Practice and European Union’s norm, the issue will be taken up in the forthcoming Drug Consultative Committee meeting to be held this month, stated officials.

Approved and regulated online pharmacies can check practices of  self medication and irrational use of certain drugs, said the officials.

Spotting the need for a proper regulatory mechanism for online pharmacy and with Prime Minister Narendra Modi unveiling the Digital India project, the DCGI office views that e-commerce will need to extend to medicines sale, the officials pointed out.

Despite the stringent surveillance on online pharmacy trade, there are companies like NetMeds.com, India’s first e-marketplace for pharma in the form of a portal which offers prescription medication. Also PM Health & Life Care with its Health Exchange business model working towards the same.

According to sources, the Drugs Consultative Committee has also found it all the more the relevant to focus on online pharmacy norms which need to be formulated. Online pharmacies can be permitted to operate only if a stringent guidance is introduced in the Amendment Bill, 2015 of Drugs & Cosmetics Act & Rules.

Ending March 2015, India accounts for total of 9.31 million mobile subscribers, which is the highest in last 12 months, according to TRAI report. The internet users are growing at 14 per cent annually.

In a growing mobile and internet savvy population, there is a clear need for online pharmacy and therefore DCGI office is now making sure to ensure that norms are being in put in place, said the officials.