Pharmacy operators in India are set to go on strike to protest the lack of clear regulations for e-pharmacies. However, the Pradhan Mantri Bhartiya Janaushadhi Pariyojana (PMBJP) Kendras, including those at major hospitals like AIIMS and Patna Medical College, will stay operational to ensure continued access to medicines. The strike is aimed at urging for a legal framework governing online medicine sales, as the absence of regulations has raised concerns about public health and safety.
Industry representatives have expressed worries about the unregulated online sale of medicines, highlighting issues like the easy availability of narcotics and Schedule H drugs without proper checks. Traditional chemists adhere to strict provisions under the Drugs and Cosmetics Act, ensuring prescription verification and controlled dispensing of medicines, unlike e-pharmacies which are perceived to lack such safeguards.
Ravi Kumar from the Bihar Chemists and Druggists Association stressed the need for uniform regulations applying to both online and offline pharmacies to safeguard patient well-being. Concerns were also raised about the compromised storage conditions of medicines during online delivery, potentially reducing their effectiveness or causing harm. Moreover, the financial impact of e-pharmacies on traditional brick-and-mortar pharmacies has been significant, leading to a decline in business and staff reductions.
