Central Drugs Standard Control Organization (CDSCO) has issued show- cause notices to various firms engaged in online/internet sale of Drugs on 8th & 9th February 2023. The firms have mostly responded by stating that they are only providing an online platform for facilitating the sale of pharmaceutical products to customers and the platform operates solely as intermediaries, connecting the users and the licensed pharmacies.

In order to regulate the online sale of medicines comprehensively, the Government had published draft Rules vide G.S.R. 817 (E) dated 28th August 2018 for amendment to the Drugs and Cosmetics Rules, 1945 for incorporating provisions relating to regulation of sale and distribution of drugs through e-pharmacy.

The draft Rules contain provisions for registration of e-pharmacy, periodic inspection of e-pharmacy, procedure for distribution or sale of drugs through e-pharmacy, prohibition of advertisement of drugs through e-pharmacy, complaint redressal mechanism, monitoring of e-pharmacy, etc.

Union Minister of State for Health and Family Welfare, Prof. S.P. Baghel stated this in a written reply in the Rajya Sabha today.