DCGI has issued notice to e-pharmacies asking them to show cause within 02 days from the date of issue of notice that the drugs and cosmetics act has been registered against them in respect of the sale, stock or display, or offer for sale or distribution of drugs Why action should not be taken for contravention of the provisions of the Act, 1940 and the rules made thereunder
The Drug Controller General of India (DCGI) on February 10 issued show cause notices to 20 e-pharmacies in the country. The drug regulator has asked online pharmacies to inform whether the Drugs and Cosmetics Act 1940 and Cosmetics Act 1940) for selling and distributing drugs. Tata1mg, Flipkart Health+, and Amazon are e-pharmacies that have been asked to show cause The notice has been sent but he refused to comment on it.
The sale of drugs online, internet, or on other electronic platforms without a license, stock or display, or offer for sale or distribution affects the quality of drugs, the drug regulator’s notice said. Self-medication, the potential misuse of drugs, and the indiscriminate use of drugs pose a risk to public health.
“Given this, you are hereby called upon to show cause within 02 days from the date of issue of this notice that any action against you for sale, or stock or display or offer for sale or distribution of drugs, under the provisions of the Drugs and Cosmetics Act, 1940 and why action should not be taken for violation of the rules made thereunder.” This has been said in the DCGI notice issued to e-pharmacy.
DCGI VG Somani said that if the company did not respond to the notice, it would be presumed that they had nothing to say. After that necessary action will be initiated against them without any further information.
The apex drug regulator has referred to the order of the Delhi High Court in the case of Dr. Zaheer Ahmed Vs Union of India and others.
The copy of the notice given to the e-pharmacies mentions part of the order. It added, “The defendants are restrained from the online sale of unlicensed drugs. They are directed to ensure that the same is prohibited forthwith until further orders.”
The DGCI has said that e-pharmacies were found selling medicines online without a license, even after the drug regulator directed them to comply with the Delhi High Court order.
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