Online availability of prescription drugs will violate provisions of various acts like Pharmacy Act, Drugs & Cosmetics Act.

According to Subsection 1 of section 42 of Indian Pharmacy Act 1948, “….no person other than a registered pharmacist shall compound, prepare, mix, or dispense any medicine on the prescription of a medical practitioner.” Section 42 (2) also states, “whoever contravenes the provisions of sub-section (1) shall be punishable with imprisonment for a term which may extend to six months, or with fine not exceeding one thousand rupees or with both.”.There are provisions in the various acts mentioned above regarding the same. The major issue of concern is that prescription drugs cannot be sold online.Before dispensing the drugs, the pharmacist is expected to verify the completeness, authenticity and legality of the prescription.Įven over-the-counter (OTC) drugs can be sold only by licensed retailers. The chemist cannot dispense quantity in excess of what has been prescribed by the doctor. A prescription requires the name of the doctor, his /her address and registration number besides the name/s of the drug/s, their potency, dosage, and duration for which the drugs are to be supplied. Laws related to ecommerce are defined under the Information Technology Act, 2000.Īccording to Indian laws, a chemist can dispense prescription drugs only on the prescription of doctor. Pharmacies in India are governed by the Drug and Cosmetics Act 1940, Drugs and Cosmetic Rules 1945, Pharmacy Act 1948 and Indian Medical Act 1956. There are no well-defined dedicated laws for online pharmacies.Unlike the local neighborhood pharmacy or the hospital pharmacy, the patient does not have access to a pharmacist if he/she has any questions about a medicine.

The online pharmacy may have its own cancellation policy and may not refund or only partly refund the amount paid upon cancellation of the order or even non-delivery of an order. Not only there may be financial implications for the patients, their safety may even be endangered at times. not allow online pharmacies in India?Īn online pharmacy sounds convenient no waiting in queues, no rushing to the pharmacy before it shuts shop for the day, placing the order is easy, moreover, the order can be placed any time of the day and the medicines are conveniently delivered via courier at your doorstep.

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