Hi Friends,

Even as I launch this today ( my 80th Birthday ), I realize that there is yet so much to say and do. There is just no time to look back, no time to wonder,"Will anyone read these pages?"

With regards,
Hemen Parekh
27 June 2013

Now as I approach my 90th birthday ( 27 June 2023 ) , I invite you to visit my Digital Avatar ( www.hemenparekh.ai ) – and continue chatting with me , even when I am no more here physically

Thursday 13 December 2018

What else is illegal to sell online ?




Delhi High Court has held that online sale of drugs is illegal  as it’s not in accordance with the Act.

An expert committee appointed by the Drugs Consultative Committee under the Government of India, has already concluded that online sales of medicine is in contravention of the provisions of Drugs and Cosmetics Act, 1940.





But , two years back , Hindustan Times ( 21 Dec 2016 ) carried following report :
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The drug committee, in its report submitted to the health ministry, has said medicines could be sold online, but with changes in several laws .

Currently, medicine sales are banned online.

The report advises the government to amend several acts, including the IT Act, Drugs and Cosmetics Act, Narcotics Act.

“The report does not deny the possibility of medicine sale online. It just says several laws need to be changed.

Also, we need a flawless technical system to regulate sales and route all e-pharmacies through a common platform,” GN Singh, Drug Controller General of India, told HT.

The number of weekly online shoppers have increased by 33% since last year, and the number of daily online shoppers have become fourfold from 2013 to 2015.

The government is working on a plan to support e-pharmacies with a strong technology network.

It is likely to test the model by allowing the sale of limited prescription drugs in the first phase.

Singh said most of the proposals that the state drug controllers submitted to the government were in favour of the online sale of drugs.

However, patient security still remains a concern.

The government is also planning to tweak the Drugs and Cosmetics Act as there is no clause on the online sale of medicines.

“We need to amend several acts and they need parliamentary approvals. This process could take a year or so,” Singh said.

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Two years gone but no amendments to the Drug and Cosmetics Act  !



So , the High Court must go by a 78 year old law – ignoring ,





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My  Take :


There can be no doubt that DRUGS / MEDICINES concern the health of people


Hence , not only its’  “ selling “  but its “ manufacturing – distribution – prescribing etc “ , need to be carefully regulated


But then there are many other items which too , are affecting the well-being of people


These are :

·         Cigarettes / Tobacco products / e-cigarettes
·         Junk foods / Certain milk products
·         Sugary drinks
·         Alcoholic drinks


Do current laws prevent their “ Online “ sale as well ?



Time is not far when every “ product “ will sell online . Most “ services “ have already gone online



How long will it take our Law-makers to come up with an amendment to our Drug and Cosmetics Act (1940) to regulate any Indian to 3D printing of customized drugs at home  ?



Those who need convincing re this possibility, may want to read up :


Made-on-demand, complex and personalized 3D-printed drug products

 ( First 3D printed drug product was approved by FDA in August 2015. )

3D printing drugs: more precise, more personalised

(   One day the patient may even be able to print their repeat medications at home using a personal machine  )



Related Readings :

3 D - Digital Delivery of Drugs              [  11  Oct   2015  ]


Health Care through Mobile ?               [  24  Nov  2016  ] 

Online Sale of Medicines ?                    [  24  Nov  2016  ]

 

Personal Health History : NHS               [  11  Aug  2018  ]

 

Ayushman Bharat : Think Big                [  23  Sept  2018  ]

 

Modicare : A Game Changer                  [  01  Oct  2018   ]

 

 

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14  Dec  2018






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