Call for Regulation and Curbs on E-Pharmacies in India to Protect Public Health
In recent developments, chemists and druggists across India have raised serious concerns about the unchecked growth and practices of e-pharmacies. They have appealed to the central government to impose strict regulations and curb predatory pricing practices by large corporate pharma companies. This call comes amid fears that current regulatory relaxations, some issued during the Covid-19 pandemic, are threatening public health and the survival of small chemists.
Concerns Over E-Pharmacies and Public Health Risks
E-pharmacies have surged in popularity by offering convenience and competitive pricing. However, according to chemists’ associations, many platforms exploit regulatory loopholes to sell medicines without prescriptions issued by qualified medical professionals. There have also been reports of artificial intelligence-generated fake prescriptions facilitating uncontrolled drug sales.
This unrestricted access particularly affects sensitive medications such as antibiotics, habit-forming drugs, and abortion pills, which require careful medical supervision. The misuse and overuse of antibiotics without appropriate doctor consultation accelerate the risk of antimicrobial resistance, a critical public health threat.
Problems with Unregulated Online Drug Sales
- Sale of medicines without valid prescriptions
- Use of AI-generated fake prescriptions
- Spread of counterfeit and substandard medicines
- Uncontrolled access to Schedule H and H1 drugs
- Health risks from abuse of habit-forming drugs and antibiotics
Impact on Small Chemists and Rural Medicine Supply
One of the major concerns voiced by chemists is the predatory pricing strategies adopted by some large corporate pharmaceutical companies. These giants often offer deep discounts on certain medicines, undermining the ability of small and independent chemists—especially in rural and semi-urban areas—to survive economically.
The potential closure of small chemists threatens the accessibility of essential medicines in remote locations, thereby disrupting an established medicine supply chain that millions of people depend on for their daily healthcare needs. India has over 1.24 million chemists and distributors providing livelihoods to nearly 40-50 million people nationwide.
Request for Withdrawal of Covid-19 Era Notifications
The chemists’ associations have specifically called for the withdrawal of two central government notifications issued during the Covid-19 pandemic:
- GSR 220 (E) dated 26-03-2020: Relaxed mandatory norms for original prescriptions and stamping, leading to misuse and unauthorised medicine supply.
- GSR 817 (E) dated 28-08-2018: Enabled the functioning of e-pharmacies, which is now exploited to push fake prescriptions and counterfeit drugs.
They warn that continued operation of e-pharmacies without adequate regulation endangers patient health and could lead to widespread drug abuse and resistance.
Appeal to the Central Government
P Venkata Ratnam, association president, has formally urged the central government to intervene and address these pressing issues without delay. The demands include strict regulatory oversight of e-pharmacies, enforcement against predatory discounting practices beyond limits set by the Drug Price Control Order and National Pharmaceutical Pricing Authority, and reinstatement of original prescription norms to prevent misuse.
Upcoming Nationwide Shutdown
In a show of protest and to draw attention to their demands, chemists have planned a nationwide shutdown on May 20th. This strike aims to highlight the significant challenges faced by traditional chemists and the risks posed by current online pharmacy practices to public health safety.
Conclusion
The concerns over e-pharmacies highlight a complex balance between embracing digital convenience and safeguarding public health and the traditional pharmacy ecosystem. Enhanced regulations, stricter enforcement, and a collaborative approach between government bodies, healthcare professionals, and pharmacy stakeholders are crucial to ensuring medicine safety, equitable access, and sustainability of pharmacy businesses across India.
