DIMAPUR, DECEMBER 27 (MExN): The All-India Organization of Chemists and Druggists (AIOCD), along with the Nagaland Medicine Dealers Association (NMDA), has urged the central government to withdraw a notification issued during the COVID-19 pandemic that allowed doorstep delivery of medicines. In a letter to the Secretary of the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, the organizations expressed concerns over the misuse of the notification by online platforms, which they claim poses a significant threat to public health.
The notification in question, G.S.R. 220 (E), was issued in March 2020 under Section 26B of the Drugs Act. It was introduced as a temporary measure to ensure the supply of medicines during movement restrictions, allowing local chemists to deliver medicines to doorsteps under specific conditions. However, the AIOCD and NMDA alleged that platforms like Swiggy are now exploiting the provision to deliver medicines without adhering to necessary regulatory and safety protocols.
AIOCD President JS Shinde and General Secretary Rajiv Singhal stated that these online platforms are selling medicines without valid prescriptions, leading to issues such as self-medication, drug abuse, and rising antimicrobial resistance. "The original intention of the notification was to support local licensed chemists during emergencies, not to enable online platforms to bypass safety measures," they emphasized.
The associations have demanded immediate withdrawal of the notification, citing the return to normalcy post-pandemic; strict enforcement of prescription requirements and other safety regulations for the sale and distribution of medicines; and complete ban on the illegal online sale of medicines to prevent unregulated access.
The AIOCD and NMDA have warned that failure to address these concerns could lead to agitation involving their 12.4 lakh members nationwide. "This step is crucial for maintaining public health and safety," the associations stated.
