Lok Sabha Question No. 1124 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2015-12-04
Subject: Online Sale of Drugs
Ministry: HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE
Asked by: T. RADHAKRISHNAN, TAMRADHWAJ SAHU, SUPRIYA SADANAND SULE, YOGI ADITYANATH, J. JAYASINGH THIYAGARAJ NATTERJEE, MEENAKASHI LEKHI, RAJEEV SHANKARRAO SATAV, DHANANJAY BHIMRAO MAHADIK, VIJAYSINH MOHITE PATIL, SHASHI THAROOR, HEENA VIJAYKUMAR GAVIT, RANJANBEN BHATT, V. SATHYABAMA, JAYAKUMAR JAYAVARDHAN, R. GOPALAKRISHNAN, A.T. (NANA) PATIL, PR. SENTHILNATHAN, KOTHA PRABHAKAR REDDY

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1124 TO BE ANSWERED ON 4 TH DECEMBER, 2015

## ONLINE SALE OF DRUGS

## 1124. SHRI T. RADHAKRISHNAN:

SHRI TAMRADHWAJ SAHU:

SHRIMATI SUPRIYA SULE:

SHRI YOGI ADITYA NATH:

SHRI J.J.T. NATTERJEE:

SHRIMATI MEENAKASHI LEKHI:

SHRI SATAV RAJEEV:

SHRI DHANANJAY MAHADIK:

SHRI MOHITE PATIL VIJAYSINH SHANKARRAO:

DR. SHASHI THAROOR:

DR. HEENA VIJAYKUMAR GAVIT:

SHRIMATI RANJANBEN BHATT:

SHRIMATI V. SATHYA BAMA:

DR. J. JAYAVARDHAN:

SHRI R. GOPALAKRISHNAN:

SHRI A.T. NANA PATIL:

SHRI PR. SENTHIL NATHAN:

SHRI PRABHAKAR REDDY KOTHA:

Will the Minister of HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the Government has formulated any provisions to regulate and monitor e - pharmacy or online sale of prescription drugs in the country;
- (b) if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor along with the manner in which this is being regulated in the country;
- (c)  whether  the Government  has  taken note  of  opposition  from  various  chemist and  druggist associations against the online sa e of prescription drugs, and if so, the details thereof and the response of the Government thereto;
- (d) whether the Government has set up any comm ittee to look into the matter, and if so, the details thereof; and
- (e) the other measures being taken by the Government to safeguard the interests of con umers as well as various stakeholders in the matter?

## ANSWER THE MINISTER OF HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE

## (SHRI JAGAT PRAKASH NADDA)

- (a) & (b): The sale and distribution of drugs in the country is regulated under the pro Drugs & Cosmetics Act, 1940 and Rules made thereunder. As per Drugs & Cosmetics Rules, 1945,  Drugs  specified  in  Schedule  H, H1  or  Schedule  X  can  not  be  sold  except  on  and  in accordance with the prescription of a Registered Medical Practitioner. The supply of presc

drugs can be effected only by or under the personal supervision of a registered pharmacis license d premises.

(c): A number of representations have been received from chemists and druggist associati against the online sale of prescription drugs. Similarly, a number of representations h been received to permit such sales.

(d) & (e): The representations received were discussed in detail in the 48 th meeting of the Drugs Consultative Committee (DCC), held on 24 th July, 2015. The DCC has constituted a 7 -Member Sub - Committee to examine the issue of sale of drugs on the internet, while taki ng care of  the  risks  and  concerns  related  to  such  sales.    All  measures  considered  necessa safeguarding the interests of Consumers are taken by the Government.