Concerned over data leaks, govt mulls regulating e-pharmacies: Report

The government is mulling over regulating e-pharmacies and is seeking legal opinions, reported CNBC-TV18.

The ministry of chemicals and fertilizers has drafted regulations to curb the operations of the e-pharmacies. According to the news channel, the government is concerned over data leak and misuse through these online platforms.

The DGCA had issued show cause notices to over 20 e-pharmacies, for violation of the Drugs and Cosmetics Act 1940, as they were found to be selling schedule H, H1 and X without a valid licence. In response the FICCI wrote to the Union government showing concerns over the notices.

Meanwhile, the All India Organisation of Chemists and Druggists (AIOCD), threatened to launch a country-wide agitation if the government didn’t act. AIOCD has also written to FICCI, claiming that their support for e-pharmacies amounts to advocating for an illegally operating business.