Next week, Mansukh Mandaviya will meet e-pharma businesses
According to a report that was published in February by The New Indian Express, the health ministry has sent show-cause orders to 31 ePharmacy businesses for selling dugs online without the necessary licences.
In NEW DELHI:Top government sources told The New Indian Express that representatives of online pharmacy companies will meet with Health Minister Mansukh Mandaviya the next week to discuss their concerns regarding the government’s steadfast stance against the online distribution of medications.
This publication had previously reported in February that the health ministry had given 31 ePharmacy businesses show-cause warnings for selling pharmaceuticals online without the necessary licencing. A top source with knowledge of the developments told this newspaper that “all the big ePharmacy players like Amazon, Flipkart, Practo, Tata1mg, PharmEasy, Apollo, Zeelabs and HealthKart are likely to meet the minister to put their concerns before him.”
It will be intriguing to observe whether the business representatives are successful in persuading the health minister to modify the government’s position, he added. According to reports, the Centre has not yet put the finishing touches on the draught regulations for ePharmacies. Before formally alerting stakeholders in a gazette, it is now speaking with them to get their opinions.
The government is concerned that drug abuse, especially among young people, could increase as a result of both prescription and nonprescription drug sales online. Because of the possibility of online data being used for criminal purposes, such as the promotion of addictive drugs, it poses a serious threat to national security.
Meanwhile, experts claim that outright banning the sale of drugs and medications online is not a viable option for reducing the availability of fake medications at brick-and-mortar pharmacies. Before adopting drastic measures, the government should also take into account the online sector’s crucial role during the Covid pandemic.
According to experts, businesses that are extensively involved in this market, such Tata 1mg and Apollo Pharmacy, would suffer if the government outlawed the entire sale of drugs and medications online.
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