Mumbai : A committee has been formed to set mechanism and guidelines for online pharmacy practices by Central Government under Chairmanship of Maharashtra Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Commissioner. Further, Drugs Controller General of India (DCGI) has formed a sub-committee which will look into the feasibility of online pharmacies for medicines in context of the current guidelines and regulations of the Drugs and Cosmetics Act and Rules.
This has come in wake of information technology advancements and related mobile-based applications, which has made it evident to move with the times and have an in-depth assessment of online pharmacy practices.
Dr Harshadeep Kamble, state FDA Commissioner said “Such a segment in the e-commerce space was critical to the growing patient population who were looking for efficiency and convenience in access to medicines in a timely manner. Therefore, with the sub-committee into action now, they have been asked to view in detail the online pharmacy sale of medicines. Currently, there are many companies engaged in online pharmacies across the country which is a violation of the Drugs & Cosmetics Act.”
With the massive development, growth of consumer goods and general commodities sold online, it was viewed that drug was an essential and important item. “The sub-committee would view the importance of online pharmacy for medicines like over-the-counter and schedule H drugs. Besides, it will also look into the various types of services, like for instance need to accept scanned copy of prescriptions and digital signatures among others,” added Dr Kamble.
The sub committee is chaired by Maharashtra Food & Drugs Administration Commissioner, Dr Harshadeep Kamble. The other members are Karnataka drugs controller, along with the drugs controllers from Delhi, Odhisha and joint drugs controller, Central Drugs Standard Control Organization (CDSCO) Dr S Eswara Reddy.
