• AIOCD opposes RailTel's proposal to partner with online pharmacies, citing legal and public health concerns.
  • The chemist body highlights regulatory gaps in India’s e-pharmacy sector and calls for a repeal of RailTel’s initiative.

The All India Organisation of Chemists and Druggists (AIOCD) has voiced strong opposition to RailTel Corporation of India Limited's proposal to collaborate with online pharmacies for home delivery of medicines. RailTel, a public sector enterprise under the Ministry of Railways, plans to implement the initiative through hospitals administered by Indian Railways.

In a letter to Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw, AIOCD alleged that RailTel’s move reflects either a misjudgment or ignorance of the legal status of online pharmacies in India. The chemists’ body emphasized that such partnerships could violate existing laws and endanger public health.

Citing a December 2018 Delhi High Court ruling, AIOCD pointed out online pharmacies lack a legal framework under the Drugs and Cosmetics Act, 1940. The court had prohibited their operation, highlighting the absence of regulatory provisions. AIOCD stressed that medicine distribution is legally restricted to licensed premises, and even during the COVID-19 pandemic, door delivery was permitted only by local, registered pharmacies under specific conditions.

The organization also raised concerns over compliance issues with online pharmacies. For instance, under Section 65 of the Drugs and Cosmetics Act, prescriptions must include the prescriber’s signature and seller’s details—requirements that online platforms may not fulfill. AIOCD has urged the government to withdraw RailTel’s proposal, warning of potential risks to public safety.

While the government introduced draft amendments to the Drugs and Cosmetics Rules in 2018 to regulate e-pharmacies, these rules remain pending. The legal ambiguity has allowed major players like Tata 1mg, PharmEasy, Practo, and NetMeds to operate in a grey area.

Court rulings on online pharmacies have been inconsistent. For example, last year, the Madras High Court overturned an earlier order banning their operations, citing a lack of clarity in regulations. Some online pharmacies argue they act as intermediaries connecting consumers with licensed sellers, thereby bypassing licensing requirements.

Edited by Harshajit Sarmah