The government has ordered a halt to online drug sales as it works on rules to regulate the sector, in a setback for companies that have ploughed in millions of dollars to open up a new business arena amid lack of regulation. In a 28 November order, drugs controller general of India (DCGI) directed all states and Union territories to prohibit sale of medicines through unlicensed online platforms till draft rules to regulate e-pharmacies are finalized and put in place. The DCGI’s letter, cites a Delhi high court order dated 12 December 2018 in a case filed by dermatologist.
The letter was sent by the DCGI to all state drug regulators and the Union health ministry for their information and action. “As the e-pharmacy rules are at the draft stage, we have issued an order to stop online sales of medicines for now," said a senior official at the Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation…
