Ban of E-Pharmacies : Good or Bad

On Wednesday, Delhi HC has ordered a blanket ban on online selling of medicines by e-pharmacist (e.g. 1MG, PharmEasy, Netmeds etc.) across the country and directed the Central Government and the Delhi Govt. to immediately implement the order. Although, the business of online selling of medicines was in its nascent stages in India and many companies had just started to enter into it but before blooming, it has been blown away. The court order is in response to a petition which stated that sale of drugs and prescription medicines online was illegal and without any mandate of law and therefore, serious risks are also involved. But is it so Is it really making any so-called serious hazard Well, I believe, YES, but only to the Traditional drug dealers who were earlier making big money by selling all the medicines at the MRP prices. It is estimated that around 200 e-pharmacy companies have started to operate in recent years and that has given a big headache to the traditional Chemists.

Ban of E-Pharmacies : Good or Bad

In India, the pharmacy laws are derived from the Drug and Cosmetic Act, 1940 and Pharmacy Act, 1948. These law does not allow the online commerce of medicines, and which makes the e-pharmacy business out of the purview.

The Central Government has already notified the Draft Rules on the e-pharmacy business which means the government is in no mood to let these business die. Also, it promotes the digitization which has always been a main cause of the current central government.

Although, the traditional druggists are making so hue and cry over the e-pharmacy and after the e-pharmacy enters into the industry, all of a sudden they start concerning so much about the public at large. But, just 3-4 years back when anyone needs to purchase medicines then the drug seller normally charges the MRP price or if s/he is too generous then you might be able to get the discount of around 5% to 10% (rarely).

But now when e-pharmacies has entered the segment, then you could get a flat 20% discount every time without any request without any question. Apart from that for the first order, most of the companies provide huge welcome coupons and you could get a discount of around 25-30% easily. Also, as these businesses are being run by big companies that’s why they have various tie-ups with e-wallets or banks etc and that’s why they are also providing you additional benefits in the form of Cashback etc. So, all the time whenever you purchase meds through them your effective cost reduces by around 30% to 40%. Also, you get the medicine at your doorstep just like any other online business so it becomes quite convenient and time-saving as well.

Drug dealers have mainly challenged that e-pharmacies provides the fake medicine, without prescriptions and that’s what makes them more dangerous. But, believe me, the Reality is EXACT OPPOSITE. When someone purchases the online medicines, there are categories of medicines and only those categories which are OTC (over the counter) is provided without prescription. Rest all the Rx medicines cannot be ordered without a prescription; and if somehow you placed the order they would cancel it later on (you can try that anytime on 1mg, Netmeds or any other app). Also, e-pharmacies provides you the GST Invoice which clearly mentions the details of medicines, their barcode, their expiry etc. 

On the exact contrary, anyone could get any medicine by just walking into the chemist shop and they didn’t bother to ask for any prescription. Also, when you ask for the bill they threaten you that you won’t get any discount if you take the bill. Or if the Chemist Owner is too generous then s/he will provide you a Parchi in the name of a bill. And again, don’t dare to ask for a computerized bill!

Well, I don’t have any personal enmity with the traditional drug dealers but they are protesting on such grounds which they themselves never followed. The actual public interest is involved in letting the e-pharmacies operate in the industry. It is quite convenient, transparent and pocket-friendly as well. Banning the E-Pharmacies is definitely NOT A SOLUTION rather the Government should come up with some law on that and making the online pharmacies more accountable and also which not harm the small drug dealers. 

These were purely my personal opinion. What do you think Please do comment below. And also you could follow blog page @ Taxeffects.blogspot.com and reach me at [email protected].