The govt in collaboration with
FICCI will digitally track all medicines issued to customers
The formation
of a strict monitoring system for online sale of medicines is underway by the
Centre, that has come up with a Self-regulation Code of Conduct for the E
pharmacy sector for the Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry
(FICCI).
The e-pharmacy model proposed by the apex
business organisation provides digital tracking and traceability of medicines,
addressing the problem of counterfeit medicines and unsupervised consumption of
antibiotics without prescription. It also improves access and affordability of
medicines for patients.
This
monitoring system will be formed in the wake of the significant rise in
popularity of e-pharmacy in the past year. E-pharmacy has also become an
important channel to provide last mile access to medicines. This will most
importantly benefit patients suffering from chronic diseases, the elderly and
sick who are not in the condition to go to the pharmacy. The e-pharmacy model
has proposed that medicines must be processed only against a valid copy of a
prescription from a registered medical practitioner. e-pharmacy websites must
also ensure no schedule X or other sensitive habit-forming medicines are
processed and that there are adequate checks in place to prevent sale of such
drugs. “e-pharmacy players must partner with the govt to recall any medicine
and collect adverse events of medicines through consumer reports and comply to
submit them to National Centre for Pharmacovigilance,” Dr Didar Singh,
Secretary General, FICCI. “Dispensation from duly licensed pharmacies under the
India e-pharmacy model must be accepted. The e-pharmacy must make reasonable
effort to ensure all pharmacy partners are duly registered under the Drugs
& Cosmetics Act,” he said. “We are working with private players to develop
a centralised online system that involves manufacturers and supply chain
managers to develop a fool-proof system for online sale of medicines,” Drug
Controller General of India, Dr G N Singh said. “Consumers need quality
medicines at an affordable price. Drugs and Cosmetics Act is the most poorly
implemented - thus making consumers vulnerable to counterfeit medicines and
self-medication,” said Bejon Mishra, Founder at Partnership for Safe Medicines
(PSM) India.
India's sudden burst in an epidemic of
chronic diseases has led to the development of online medicine portals. “We
can't deny that home delivery of medicines is not risky, because there is no
tracking. Most of it is happens over the phone,” said Mishra.
The
Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation (CDSCO) has already said that
strict action will be taken against those who dont complt with the Drugs and
Cosmetic Act.
Source:
DNA-22nd November,2016
