The Indian Health Ministry plans to meet with CEOs and top executives of e-pharmacies in India to discuss the future of the industry. The Modi government had initially approved e-pharmacies but then changed its decision in March, citing concerns over data privacy, sales of medicines without prescriptions, and predatory pricing. The Ministry is in favor of e-prescription but not online sale of medicines unless it is inter-linked on large-scale platforms. The All India Organisation of Chemists and Druggists has complained to multiple government agencies, including the Prime Minister’s Office, about the illegal sale of drugs online with predatory pricing. The ministry plans to consider the ecosystem and business viability of the 12 lakh brick and mortar chemists in India.
AIOCD, which is an apex body of approximately 12 lakh offline chemists across India, had sent an advance notice for nationwide agitation against inaction by government agencies on the illegal sale of drugs on the online platform with predatory pricing. The All India Organisation of Chemists and Druggists (AIOCD) has been complaining to multiple government agencies, including the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO), about the illegal sale of drugs on the online platform with predatory pricing. This complaint is driven by the long-standing battle between offline chemists and e-pharmacists. AIOCD, which is an apex body of approximately 12 lakh offline chemists across India, has sent an advance notice for nationwide agitation against the inaction of government agencies in protecting the interests of offline chemists. The government is considering the ecosystem and business viability of brick and mortar chemists, as their sales may be impacted if e-pharmacies continue to operate without regulation.
