Against the backdrop of cases of internet based sale of drugs which is detrimental to patient safety, Maharashtra Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has planned a massive crackdown on websites selling prescription drugs online.
 
This comes in the wake of FDA's recent action against e- retailer Snapdeal.com for selling prescription drugs online.

The company, according to FDA's information has  immediately stopped sale of prescription drugs and also delisted them from its website. Moreover, FDA has also ordered visit to the offices of Flipkart and Amazon to find out details whether such activities were undertaken by them.

A senior FDA official explained, ''As per the Section 18 (c) of Drugs and Cosmetics Act, 1940 to be read with Rule 65, only a licensed retailer is entitled for the sale of drugs and that too on the basis of prescription of a doctor only."

FDA team raided the Snapdeal premises recently after the receipt of information that various drugs including the prescription drugs are being offered for sale and sold through Snapdeal.com. The specific information was with regard to the sale of Ascoril cough syrup and Vigora tablets.

The Rule 65 prescribes the procedure to be adopted by the medical stores while selling the prescription drugs and under which the prescription from the registered medical practitioner is necessary for sale of Schedule H drugs under the Act.

FDA has also directed the company to furnish details of persons involved, the medical stores, companies involved and their respective documents including agreements, chalans, invoices and payment details. Snapdeal was also asked to immediately withdraw the offer for sale and exhibition of those drugs from its website. Further, Snapdeal was also asked to delist the products from its website.

Snapdeal.com is an online marketplace which connects buyers and sellers to provide the widest assortment of products. The sellers selling online are retailers and distributors, small and medium business and large brands who typically sell offline too. Snapdeal acts as an intermediary between the seller and buyer of the products listed on the platform.

A Snapdeal spokesperson clarified in an official statement, "Though we periodically educate sellers on engaging in fair and safe sales on the platform and consequences of selling inappropriate products, at times sellers end up listing such products. Upon being notified of any such products, we delist the products and take appropriate action against such seller. In this case upon receiving the notice, we have delisted the products and provided all information to the FDA team. We are assisting the FDA team in this investigation."

An FDA official explained ''Online sale of drugs is not allowed as per the Drugs Act as it leads to self medication and can be harmful to the patients. Snapdeal like agencies cannot act like a doctor or a pharmacist.”