Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Dec 21: The All-India Organisation of Chemists and Druggists (AIOCD), along with the Jammu Chemists & Distributors Association, has urged the Central Government to revoke notification GSR 220(E), issued during the COVID-19 pandemic.
The notification, introduced in March 2020 under Section 26B of the Drugs Act, allowed doorstep delivery of medicines as a temporary measure to address emergencies during lockdowns. However, AIOCD now claims the provision is being misused by online platforms like Swiggy to sell medicines without adhering to mandatory regulatory norms, posing a serious threat to public health.
AIOCD president J S Shinde and general secretary Rajiv Singhal highlighted that the notification’s original intent was to enable licensed local chemists to supply medicines in emergencies. They allege that several online platforms have exploited this rule to deliver medicines without valid prescriptions, leading to self-medication, drug abuse, and rising antimicrobial resistance. These platforms, AIOCD claims, are prioritizing profits over patient safety and bypassing essential safety measures such as verifying prescriptions and ensuring proper record-keeping.
The AIOCD has raised serious concerns about the risks posed by such unregulated practices, emphasizing that the safety and well-being of patients must take precedence over the convenience offered by digital platforms. The Organization further clarified that the rules temporarily set aside during the pandemic, including stamping prescriptions under Rule 65, were meant only for emergency circumstances and not for the long-term relaxation of drug delivery regulations.
The organization has demanded the immediate withdrawal of the notification, arguing that the emergency conditions necessitating its issuance no longer exist. They have also called for strict enforcement of prescription requirements and other safety rules governing the sale and distribution of medicines. Additionally, the Organization has urged the Government to take swift action to ban the illegal online sale of medicines to prevent further harm to public health.
Representing over 12.4 lakh members nationwide, the AIOCD and Jammu Chemists & Distributors Association have warned of nationwide agitation if their demands are not addressed.
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