The Drugs Controller General of India (DCGI) Dr. G.N. Singh has said that the pharmaceuticals industry needs a new regulatory framework to effectively bring the e-pharmacy under its ambit.
"The role, responsibilities and liabilities of e-commerce marketplace and the product sellers need to be clearly defined. It becomes even more critical to have a framework in place when the intermediary is selling drugs where the safety and health of the consumer is of paramount importance," said Singh, at a FICCI consultative meeting on 'Pharma Guidelines for Reinforcing Due Diligence for Intermediaries (E-commerce Marketplace).
With the advent of technology, e-commerce industry has entered in healthcare space in the form of e-pharmacy. However, there are issues such as complaint being filed against e-commerce player/s for online sale of prescription based drugs.
To resolve these issues, Dr. Singh suggested that it would be beneficial for the regulator to engage with stakeholders in constructive brainstorming deliberations to reach a consensus.
He added that the Indian Government was forthcoming in adopting industry's recommendations and the Drugs Controller General would assist in providing a legal status to implementable suggestions of industry.
Dr. Singh assured that the interest of small retailers will be protected and it would be ensured that e-pharmacy does not disturb the existing supply chain system in place. The aim would be to integrate e-pharmacy in the existing system. He added that the Indian regulatory body was also engaging with international regulators in the space to derive a forward looking policy.