The Centre is planning to regulate the e-pharmacy industry over misuse of data, sources said.
According to a source, the Health Ministry is working on a policy to regulate the e-pharmacy industry market in the country, and a Group of Ministers (GoM) are in favour of the closure of e-pharmacies. "They did not propose the idea in the present shape. The government can take action against them," the source said.
"Health Ministry has taken note of malpractices reported in the sector which lead to concerns over data privacy, sales of medicines without prescription, and predatory pricing," the source added.
The action follows after the Drugs Controller General of India (DCGI) last month issued a show-cause notice on online pharmacies asking them why action should not be taken against them for selling and distributing drugs without licence.
The notice was issued to online pharmacies including Tata 1mg, Amazon, and Flipkart, for selling and distributing drugs in contravention of provisions of the Drugs and Cosmetics Act, 1940.
"This office has received various representations from time to time raising concerns regarding sale of drugs through online, internet or other electronic platforms including various mobile applications, in contravention to the provisions of the Drugs and Cosmetics Act, 1940 & Rules there under. Such sale includes drugs specified in Schedule H, HI and X which are only allowed to be sold by retail under a valid prescription of a registered medical practitioner and supplied under the supervision of a registered pharmacist," the DCGI had said in the notice.
PM Modi to address first Parivartan Rally on Dec 29 ahead of Delhi polls
The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) will kickstart its poll campaign for the upcoming Delhi Assembly elections, with Prime Minister Narendra Modi addressing his first Parivartan Rally on December 29 in Rohini.
PM Modi condoles Bathinda bus accident, announces ex-gratia of Rs 2 lakh to kin of deceased victims
Prime Minister Narendra Modi offered his condolences to the families of all the eight persons who lost their lives in a tragic bus accident in Bathinda, Punjab.
Home Minister Amit Shah lauds ITBP personnel for protecting border areas
Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Friday night praised the Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP) personnel for safeguarding the border areas in challenging and difficult terrains and climates across the country.
Manipur: Assam Rifles provides training to over 600 to empower jobless individuals
Demonstrating its dauntless commitment towards empowering youths in violence-hit Manipur, the Assam Rifles has provided training to 660 men and women this year to upgrade their skills in various trades, officials said on Friday.
‘Outstanding statesman’: Putin mourns demise of Manmohan Singh
Russian President Vladimir Putin on Friday mourned the demise of former Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh, describing him as an “outstanding statesman”.
Arunachal successfully preserved its unique identity despite onslaught of modernity: CM Khandu
Arunachal Pradesh Chief Minister Pema Khandu on Friday expressed satisfaction that despite the onslaught of modernity and development, the state has not only successfully preserved its unique indigenous identity but has passed it down through generations.
Osamu Suzuki who revolutionised India’s car market with Maruti 800 no more
Osamu Suzuki, who headed Suzuki Motor Corp for more than 40 years and revolutionised India’s car market with the introduction of the popular Maruti 800 small car, has died at the age of 94.
US Embassy in India breaks record, issues 1 million visas for second consecutive year
The US Embassy and its consulate in India have scripted a new record by issuing more than one million non-immigrant visas for the second year in a row.