Close on the heels of Drug Controller General of India (DCGI) directive to all the state/UT drugs controllers to keep a strict watch on online sale of prescription drugs, a Kolkata based NGO, India’s Smile, has written to the department of health, government of West Bengal to take urgent action against "Sasta Sundar" apps selling prescription medicines illegally through online mode.

In the letter addressed to the state health ministry, the NGO has stated that "Sasta Sundar apps (http://www sastasundar.com/) " is selling "Schdule H/Hl drugs, steroid injections and other medicines without proper prescription illegally through online mode. The aforesaid ''Sasta Sundar apps" is owned by "Microsec Health Buddy Limited" (http.//www.mhbl.in/) having registered address at Kolkata, West Bengal.

The letter further states “Considering the risk toward public health and intention to produce evidence against Sasta Sundar, we placed order through public via Sasta Sundar apps. Shockingly, we were not asked for any prescription, which is a mandate given by the directorate of drugs control, West Bengal.”

This comes at a time when the much awaited recommendations on framing a policy on online pharmacy by a select group of state drug regulators under the chairmanship of Maharashtra Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Commissioner Dr Harshadeep Kamble have been submitted to the Drug Controller General of India (DCGI). Further to this, Central Drug Standards Control Organization (CDSCO) is also planning to launch a centralised online system which will help make use of new technologies to deliver medicines effectively in a regulated and feasible manner.

Meanwhile, Bombay High Court (HC) has also asked the government to take steps to curb illegal online sale of prescription drugs based on a petition.

The HC directive further states that government shall take steps to get in touch with the concerned departments namely the information technology department and information and broadcasting departments and inform the court what steps they propose to take and stop advertisement and sale of such drugs.

Maharashtra FDA has already started a special drive to keep a tab on the illegal online sale of drugs by unregistered firms and has deputed a team of drug inspectors to implement the same.

Recommendations from all stakeholders were recently submitted to the DCGI appointed sub-committee under the chairmanship of Maharashtra FDA Commissioner Dr Harshdeep Kamble to formulate guidelines on the use of information technology in online pharmacy.