Sale and distribution of drugs including painkillers and psychotropic drugs are regulated by the State Licencing Authorities (SLAs) appointed by State Government under the Drugs and Cosmetics Act, 1940 and the rules made thereunder. SLAs are empowered under the said Act and rules for implementation of its provisions and monitoring and in case of non-compliance, they may take action in accordance with the provisions of the said Act and rules.

Further, with a view to comprehensively regulate online sale of medicines, the Government of India has published draft rules vide its notification dated 28.8.2018, inviting comments from public and stakeholders on amendments to the Drugs Rules, 1945 for incorporating provisions relating to regulation of sale and distribution of drugs through e-pharmacy.

The draft rules contain provisions for registration of e-pharmacy, periodic inspection of e-pharmacy, procedure for distribution or sale of drugs through e-pharmacy, prohibition of advertisement of drugs through e-pharmacy, complaint redressal mechanism, monitoring of e-pharmacy, etc.

This information was given by the Union Minister of State for Chemicals and Fertilizers Smt Anupriya Patel in Lok Sabha in a written reply to a question today.

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MV/GS