The Union Health Ministry intends to take tough measures against online pharmacies, including the closure of their operations in India.
The ministry is concerned about the unchecked use of prescription drugs and the maintenance of data privacy in the operations of online pharmacies, according to government officials. “The online pharmacies are currently following that business model, which can be problematic for patients who order medicine online, putting their data privacy at risk, and increasing the possibility of drug misuse,” sources told ANI. The developments follow the Drug Controller General of India (DCGI) issuing show-cause notices to 20 online pharmacies, including Tata 1mg, Practo, and Amazon, for selling and distributing medicines in violation of the Drugs and Cosmetics Act, 1940.