New order facilitating doorstep delivery of drugs confuses e-pharma firms

The notification allows licence holders to deliver drugs but these online marketplaces, which connects sellers and customers, do not hold any licence

A recent notification from the Mnistry of Health and Family Welfare could adversely impact online pharmacies and retail deliveries, making it difficult for them to deliver medicines, even though by definition both fall under "essential services," as allowed by government under lockdown. 

The notification, dated March 26, lays down these conditions- that a person licensed to sell and deliver drugs will have to submit an e-mail ID for registration with the licensing authority if prescriptions are to be received through email, the drugs be supplied at the doorstep of the patients located within the same revenue district where the company