GUWAHATI: In a blow to the e-commerce portals selling medicines online, the Delhi High Court has put a ban on it across India.
This order will directly impact leading online portals for selling medicines such as Practo, 1MG, Netmeds, WeChemist, and others.
According to a report in The Times of India, a bench of Chief Justice Rajendra Menon and Justice V K Rao passed the order on a PIL filed by a Delhi-based dermatologist.
The PIL expressed concern over the unregulated sales of medicines on the internet. Lakhs of medicines which are transacted through e-pharmacies every day, pose a huge risk to the patients and doctors alike, it said.
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The plea also highlighted that the online sale of medicines is actually not permitted under the Drugs and Cosmetics Act, 1940 and Pharmacy Act, 1948. “Unlike common items, drugs are highly potent and its misuse or abuse can have serious consequences on human health.”
Earlier in September, the Ministry of Health banned the manufacture for sale or distribution of 328 fixed-dose combination (FDC) drugs with immediate effect. Besides, it also restricted the manufacture, sale or distribution of six FDCs subject to certain conditions.
