Chemists’ apex body against RailTel’s plan to get bids from e-pharma

All India Organization of Chemists and Druggists (AIOCD), an apex body of Chemists in the country has raised concerns over the RailTel Corporation of India’s proposal to invite bids from online pharmacy platforms to deliver medicines, citing that they operate “illegally”.

In a letter to the Union minister for Railways, AIOCD President JS Shinde said that e-pharmacies are operating illegally in the country. “The High Court has prohibited operations of online pharmacies. The Central Drugs Standard Control Organization (CDSCO) in its affidavit has admitted that there is no provision for online pharmacies in India at present under the Drugs and Cosmetics Act, 1940 or its rules,” the letter said.

“We believe that there has been some error of judgment by the RailTel Corporation of India or they are unaware of the status of online pharmacies in India, which is why such an irresponsible decision may have been taken by them,” he said.

As reported by ET last week, Indian Railways is in talks with online pharmacy platforms to facilitate home-delivery of medicines from hospitals under its administrative control.

The AIOCD has asked the ministry to withdraw the proposal.

“We hope that this decision was not taken deliberately. AIOCD is committed to protecting the interests of the people of the country and the pharmaceutical sector. We appeal to RailTel Corporation to immediately withdraw this illegal proposal,” the letter further said.Calling it a “error of judgment by the RailTel Corporation of India” Shinde further said that “They there are unaware of the status of online pharmacies in India, which is why such an irresponsible decision may have been taken by them. It should come to your notice that there are no rules that govern the sale of medicines through online pharmacies in India and they are all operating in contravention to the rules and regulations in our country, which can invite legal penalties,” the letter said.