E-tailers Amazon and Flipkart Health plus and other 18 sellers have received show-cause notices from the Drugs Controller General of India (DCGI) over the online sale of drugs in violation of norms.
DCGI VG Somani, who issued the show-cause notice on February 8, cited a Delhi High Court order dated December 12, 2018, which bans online sales of medicines without a licence, reported news agency PTI.
The notice also noted that the order was forwarded to all state and Union Territories in May by the drug controller and again in November 2019 and February 3 for necessary action and compliance.
"In spite of the same, you are found to be engaged in such activities without a licence," the notice sent to the online medicine sellers stressed, the report added.
"...You are hereby asked to show cause within 2 days from the date of issue of this notice, why action shall not be taken against you for sale, or stock, or exhibit or offer for sale or distribution of drugs in contravention of the provisions of the Drugs and Cosmetics Act 1940 and rules made thereunder," the notice said.
What’s Not Allowed?
The notice has categorically mentioned that any sale or stock or exhibit or offer for sale or distribution of any drug requires a licence from the concerned state licensing authority. Moreover, the conditions of a licence also need to be complied with by the licence holders.
The DCGI noted that in absence of any response, it will be understood that the company has nothing to say in the matter and necessary action will be initiated against them without any further notice.
Flipkart Health Plus confirmed receiving the notice and committed to complying with the laws. "We have received the notice from CDSCO (Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation) and are responding to it appropriately. As an organisation, we remain committed to complying with the laws of the land and towards continuous improvements of our processes/checks and controls on our marketplace platform to build trust and enhance customer experience," Flipkart Health Plus said.
Flipkart Health Plus added saying that it is a digital healthcare marketplace platform that enables easy and convenient access to genuine and affordable medicines and healthcare products, from independent sellers to millions of customers across the country.