Mah FDA acts against e-commerce sites for online sale of medicines

26 February, New Delhi

Maharashtra’s Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has taken regulatory action against e-commerce sites Snapdeal, Amazon and Flipkart found to be selling or distributing medicines to consumers through Internet without a valid sales bill and requisite licences.

Stating this, Health Minister J P Nadda said in a written reply in the Lok Sabha that he had received a number of representations from chemists and druggist associations against the online sale of prescription drugs. But, similarly many representations had been received to permit such sales, he added.

The Minister said that under the provisions of the Drugs & Cosmetics Act, 1940 and Rules made thereunder, the sale of drugs in the country is regulated by State Licensing Authorities.

”Accordingly, drugs specified in Schedule H, H1 or Schedule X cannot be sold except on and in accordance with the prescription of a Registered Medical Practitioner. The supply of prescription drugs can be effected only by or under the personal supervision of a registered pharmacist from a licensed premises,” he pointed out.