The FDA said that since the government is still in process of how to monitor and regulate online sale of drugs, they cannot presently take action on people selling medicines online.
In a move to control the rising popularity of online sale of drugs, the food and drugs administration (FDA) has appealed to the citizens to avoid purchasing medicines online as it is an unregulated area and quality of drug sold isn't monitored.
The FDA said that since the government is still in process of how to monitor and regulate online sale of drugs, they cannot presently take action on people selling medicines online.
"People should avoid purchasing medicines online. We can not vouch for the quality of these medicines," said BR Masal, FDA assistant commissioner (drugs), in the press release.
A while back, around 3,500 chemists in the city shut shop for a day against online sale of medicines.
According to the chemists association, the government should not regularise the sale of medicines through e-pharmacies on the internet. All India Organisation of Chemists and Druggists (AIOCD) had submitted its memorandum to the central and state level health authorities. "Online sale of medicines poses an increased risk of adverse drug reactions/side effects. It will also lead to rise in irrational use of medicines specially antibiotics. We therefore strongly protest online sale of drugs. In India, online sale is still in its nascent stage," said Prasad Danave, president of retail and dispensing chemist association.
Doctors are presently divided over online sale of medicines. Dr Jayesh Lele, president elect of Indian Medical Association (Maharashtra) said: "IMA has objected online sale of drugs. Sale of over the counter drugs is OK but medicines that needs doctor's prescription, should not be available online. Misuse of schedule H drugs, antibiotics may go up if online sale of drugs is allowed."
Supporting online sale of medicines, Dr Ashish Tiwari, CEO, Zynova Hospitals, said that the chemists are opposing the online pharmacies because they are feeling that online pharmacy will affect their business. "Online pharmacy is useful & futuristic for people as it is convenient specially for elder ones & kids because it will be delivered at home. It will ensure dispensing of prescription drugs to be given on prescription only," said Tiwari.
He added that e-pharmacy will give option of substitution to the generic drugs at the time of making a drug cart which will be cost saving for patients. "Nowadays, e-prescriptions have been started by many healthcare personnel & hospitals which can be easily integrated to the pharmacy which in turn will ensure accuracy of drugs & also will be part of electronic medical records," said Tiwari.
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