MYSORE, 16/05/2013: Chemists in Mysore are concerned that the new drugs policy will result in fall in trade margins on May 16, 2013.
Photo: M.A. Sriram
| Photo Credit:
SRIRAM MA
The All-India Organisation of Chemists and Druggists (AIOCD) has expressed concern regarding “no visible action” taken by the State Licensing Authorities regarding complaints against the unauthorised sale of medicines, allegedly by e-pharmacies. The industry body that represents over 12.40 lakh chemists in the country, expressed grave concern over “illegal and unregulated operation of online pharmacy platforms,” which it alleged is continuing to sell medicines in violation of the Drugs & Cosmetics Act, 1940.
The Minister of State for Health and Family Welfare, Anupriya Patel, on July 22 in a written reply informed the Rajya Sabha that “isolated complaints regarding unauthorised sale of controlled substances, substandard medicines and habit forming drugs through online pharmacy platforms have been received by the Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation.” She added that based on merit, the matter is being referred to the concerned State Licensing Authorities for action.
In a formal communication, J. S. Shinde, President, AIOCD, highlighted the State Licensing Authorities (SLAs)‘ “continued inaction” despite repeated complaints being forwarded to them by the Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation (CDSCO).
A delegation of the AIOCD recently met the Drug Controller General of India (DCGI), Dr Rajeev Raghuvanshi, and urged the government to crackdown on all illegal e-pharmacies allegedly operating with a valid licence or oversight, including the quick commerce players. It has also asked the government to withdraw GSR 220(E), an emergency provision issued during the pandemic for doorstep delivery of medicines. AIOCD has alleged that online pharmacies are misusing this provision.
Meanwhile, AIOCD reiterated the demand for withdrawal of a draft regulation issued in 2018, GSR 817(E), stating it has remained in draft form for over eight years and is “enabling misuse due to lack of legal clarity.” This draft regulation was released for the regulation of e-pharmacies. “AIOCD has repeatedly submitted that GSR 817(E) is outdated and has failed to address the ground realities of digital drug distribution. Hundreds of representations and objections from stakeholders, including AIOCD, have been ignored,” it noted
It alleged that in the absence of final regulation, e-pharmacy platforms continue to “sell habit-forming and psychotropic drugs without prescription and Schedule H, H1, and X medicines in violation of the law.”
Published on July 26, 2025
