 "DoP panel wants curbs on online pharmacies")
A sub-committee of a panel set up by the department of pharmaceuticals (DoP) wants restrictions on online pharmacies.
It has asked for a ban on these being used as outlets for high-risk drugs and mandatory licensing of the physical premises where such orders are processed. The task force's sub-group which proposed these regulations did not have any representation from online pharmacies. “There should be no listing and sale of schedule X drugs and other risky drugs (schedule H1). There should be adequate checks and balances in place to prevent sale of any schedule X drugs,” it said.
Maharashtra's drug regulator had found various online pharmacies selling such drugs last year. “In a marketplace model, there should be a team of qualified pharmacists and pharmacologists for validation of prescription. The e-mail ID and phone number should be accessible for users to report any adverse effect or solve any drug-related query,” the task force said. And, that entrepreneurs with court cases, legal notices or bad moral conduct must not be issued online drug selling licences.
The task force's sub-group had 23 members. These included senior executives of major pharmaceutical companies such as Lupin, Glenmark, Abbott and Sun Pharma, beside representatives from business chambers.
“It should be clearly mentioned to the user that the platform is a marketplace and their order will be processed by a local licensed pharmacy. The details of the pharmacy should be shared with users using e-mail and SMS,” it recommended.
Also, the online marketplaces should be asked to introduce various measures to vet the sellers.
"For instance, a machine learning model can be used to identify sellers more likely to sell products that violate the policies." Such marketplaces should also be monitoring all products on their website and decide which ones should be removed.
The task force had three sub-groups and was established under the chairmanship of the DoP secretary on October 31 last year, to recommend measures for the development of manufacturing capabilities in the main lines of pharmacy production.
RECOMMENDATIONS
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There should be a team of qualified pharmacists and pharmacologists for validation of prescription
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Entrepreneurs with court cases, legal notices, bad moral conduct must not be issued licences
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Website's user should be told that their order will be processed by a local licensed pharmacy
- Measures should be introduced to vet the sellers
