The Ministry of Health is considering setting up an online portal to regulate and fill gaps in the sale of drugs in India across all platforms, including pharmacies. "The objective of such regulation would be to ensure the availability of drugs that meet quality standards to each person in need of medicines, to curb antimicrobial resistance and to regulate the supply of drugs online, "The ministry said.
The Ministry is proposing to establish a robust structure by April 15, 2009 to regulate drug sales through an autonomous organization that it plans to establish. The ministry has invited stakeholders and the public to make suggestions, according to a public notice.
According to the proposal, the autonomous body would develop and maintain the platform on which pharmacists, distributors, wholesalers, distributors, licensed pharmacists and electronic pharmacies had to register.
Once enrolled, they are expected to enter data for the drugs they sell, including lot numbers, quantity supplied, returned or eliminated, and expiration dates. This data can be entered online and using mobile phones, proposed the ministry. The details of the medicines distributed will be entered on this platform and the invoices will be generated by the same system, including details of the prescribing doctor's registration number, the chemist's name and registration and the quantity supplied.
Once enrolled, they are expected to enter data for the drugs they sell, including lot numbers, quantity supplied, returned or eliminated, and expiration dates. This data can be entered online and using mobile phones, proposed the ministry.
One of the department's main concerns is the quality of medicines, and the complaints continue to spread. A recent survey published by the government showed that about 3% of medicines sold in the country are below standards.
India does not have a trackand trace mechanism for drugs sold in India, although a bar coding system is in place for exported drugs, according to the Ministry of Health. Online pharmacies will not be allowed to sell drugs unless they have a licensed brick and mortar facility in each of the jurisdictions. In the background, a regulatory audit system was proposed to ensure compliance with the Drugs and Cosmetics Act and the Rules.
