CCPA issues Advisory to e-commerce platforms on sale of Ayurvedic, Siddha and Unani drugs

The Central Consumer Protection Authority (CCPA) has issued an Advisory to e-commerce entities concerning the sale of Ayurvedic, Siddha and Unani drugs containing ingredients listed in Schedule E (1) of the Drugs and Cosmetics Rules, 1945.

E-commerce companies have been warned that selling or supporting the sale of such pharmaceuticals is only allowed when a user uploads a legitimate prescription from an authorised Ayurvedic, Siddha, or Unani practitioner. Without a doctor’s supervision, using such medications might have serious health consequences.

According to Rule 161(2) of the Drugs and Cosmetics Rules, 1945, if a drug is intended for internal use to treat human diseases and contains a chemical listed in Schedule E (1), it must prominently have the warning “Caution: To be used under medical supervision” in both English and Hindi.

It should be noted that the Ministry of Ayush informed stakeholders in a public notice on 01.02.2016 that the aforementioned medications needed to be taken under medical supervision and that ordering them online without consulting a doctor should be avoided.

Ayurvedic, Siddha And Unani Drugs

The Consumer Protection Act of 2019’s Section 18 gives the CCPA authority to defend, advance, and uphold the rights of all consumers as a group and to prohibit infringement on such rights. Additionally, the CCPA has the authority to stop unfair business practises and make sure that nobody engages in them.

The CCPA continuously keeps an eye on matters impacting consumer welfare. In regards to the imposition of service fees in hotels and restaurants, the CCPA recently released rules in order to avoid unfair business practises and defend consumer interests. To safeguard consumers from deceptive commercials, the CCPA has also released rules for the prohibition of deceptive advertising and endorsements of deceptive advertising.

To protect consumer rights when shopping online, the CCPA has issued an advisory to all marketplace e-commerce platform, advising them to make sure that seller information, including the name and contact information for the grievance officer required by sub-rule (5) of rule 6 of the Consumer Protection (E-commerce) Rules, 2020, is made clear and easily accessible to users and prominently displayed on the platform.

In accordance with Section 18(2)(j) of the Act, the CCPA has also issued Safety Notices to inform and forbid customers from purchasing items that lack a genuine ISI Mark and contravene mandatory BIS standards. The second Safety Notice was published on household items such as electric immersion water heaters, sewing machines, microwave ovens, domestic gas stoves with LPG, etc., whereas the first Safety Notice was given regarding helmets, pressure cookers, and cooking gas cylinders.