- Bandh to protest against the central government’s inaction to curb online sale of medicines.
- If appeal not taken seriously, AIOCD all set to go for a nation-wide indefinite agitation
All India Organisation of Chemists & Druggist (AIOCD), country’s largest Organisation of Chemists & Distributors, to make its stand clear against “Online Sale of Medicine”, will be observing a One Day BANDH on Friday, 28th September 2018 to protest against the central government for not taking a stance against sale of medicines through internet or allowing e-pharmacies to operate in India in any form.
The Federation of Gujarat State Chemist and Druggist Association (FGSCDA), supporting the stand taken by AIOCD, will join the BANDH and keep shops and offices completely closed on the aforementioned date.
The serious, among many concerns brought out by AIOCD, were not only commercial business loss of its members, but online sale of medicines, which if allowed, would be hazardous to the public health at large, more importantly the tech-savvy young generation of our country may suffer irreparable damage.
Mr. Alpesh Patel , President, The Federation of Gujarat State Chemist and Druggist Association, said “The All India Organisation of Chemists & Druggist (AIOCD) has made repeated appeals through memorandums to the central govt., concerned ministers, departments, and State Food & Drug Administration citing numerous cases / examples of illegal online sale of medicines by so called e-pharmacies and portals and twice observed a One Day All India Chemists Bandh and 8 hour work rule to sensitize the seriousness of this issue.”
In spite of all the measures it has been observed that online players have been rampantly violating provisions of drug act and no visible actions have been taken by authorities.
Some of the violations are listed below:
- Online players operating without any responsibility under the Act and are passing on the orders without verifying the authenticity of the prescription.
- The drugs e.g. MTP Kits, Sildenafil, Tadalafil, habit forming drugs like codeine are sold without prescription of RMPs.
- Schedule drugs which need to be supplied on prescription of specialized practitioners such as Gynecologists, Psychiatrists, etc. are supplied either directly or by non-qualified practitioners.
- Selling of medicines on old or fabricated prescriptions.
- Generating fake e-prescription without examining the patients for earning a commission per prescription.
- Online players openly advertise in print and electronic media violating provisions of section 18(C) of the Drug Act which prohibits sale or distribution or stock or exhibit or offer on the sale of any drug without a valid license.
This has created unrest in the minds of chemists at the all India level and thus the agitation against the inactiveness of government and state level authorities. At the same time the association regrets the inconvenience that may be caused to common public.
“Reiterating the concerns which have already been communicated to the central government and all concerned authorities, and with no proper reply or response to the valid concerns received from central govt., AIOCD will be observing two BANDHS across India”, said Alpesh Patel.
Mr. Rajendra Patel – Hon Gen Secretary, The Federation of Gujarat State Chemists and Druggists Association said, “In spite of all democratic measures, the central government went ahead with its agenda without considering the concerns raised by us, particularly possible ill effect on health of general public and youth of our country. It will not be out of context to note that a lobby with deep pockets may be pressing for regulating “Online Sale of Medicine”, which we fear will ultimately result into an oligopoly situation in the near future. We expect transparent open-minded policies and not ‘crony capitalism’, for few big players.”
Drug prices are regulated and controlled by the central govt. with DPCO. Total trade margin is restricted to 16% for retailers and 8% for wholesalers. Online players go on to offer 50-70% discount, openly advertising in print and electronic media. It seems nothing but cut-throat, unethical competition to drive out brick & mortar chemists shops. Investing huge funds by burning capital, a small retailer just cannot cope–up with these large players.
No country in the world has given free hand to “Online Sale of Drugs”. Those countries that have given some scope to online sale are also reconsidering the decision through further add-on restrictions on finding gross misuse by unauthorized web-portals carrying on an unethical sale of medicines. With inadequate regulatory infrastructure, it will be premature to allow online sale in India. Each and every member of the organisation exceedingly worried about the future, existence and question of 8.5 lakh plus members and 1 crore dependent families, staff, ancillary service providers have developed anger against the central government policy favoring “Online Sale of Medicines”.
“If the government fails to understand the seriousness of the issue and does not consider our appeal positively then AIOCD shall have no option but to go for a nation-wide indefinite agitation against Online Sale of Medicine,” said Alpesh Patel.
