In response to a written question in Rajya Sabha, Minister of State for Health Faggan Singh Kulaste stated that a subcommittee formed to consider issues related to online drug sales presented its recommendations suggesting the creation of a national portal to monitor such sales as well as certain restrictions imposed on them.
The government plans to allow the on-line sale of drugs with certain restrictions. Certain drugs such as narcotic and tranquilizer, which are prone to be "abused or misused" can not be authorized for sale by e-pharmacies. The government may also impose geographic restrictions on the operation of electronic pharmacies.
The committee also recommended geographic restrictions for the operation of electronic pharmacies and stated that existing licensees involved in the retail sale of drugs could also register on the national portal for online drug sales.
Kulaste added that the committee recommended the exclusion of certain drugs such as narcotics and tranquilizers, which are likely to be "abused or misused", from online sales.
“The sub-committee has recommended creation of a national portal to act as the nodal platform for transacting and monitoring online sale of drugs and necessity of evolving a mechanism to register e-pharmacies,” he added. Kulaste said that all matters relating to sale of drugs including through online will continue to be regulated under the existing Drugs and Cosmetic Act.
