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Business Standard
5 days ago
- Business
- Business Standard
Chemists urge crackdown on instant online delivery of high-risk medicines
India's leading chemists' association has warned that e-pharmacies and quick commerce platforms are delivering high-risk prescription drugs without adequate oversight — a practice, it says, could drive drug abuse and endanger public health, according to a report in The Economic Times. Why it matters The All India Organisation of Chemists and Druggists (AIOCD) said that this 'unchecked' online supply undermines drug regulations, fuels substance misuse among youth, and threatens small pharmacy businesses. • In an August 11 letter to Union Home Minister Amit Shah, AIOCD accused platforms like Zepto and Blinkit of delivering Schedule H, H1, and X drugs within minutes, skipping mandatory prescription verification. • The group flagged 'ghost prescriptions', where medicines are approved without genuine verification — including late-night approvals for distant patients. • It warned that easy online access to habit-forming drugs like Pregabalin could cause a spike in misuse. 'Foreign-funded start-ups are treating medicines like ordinary commodities, undermining India's domestic market and causing unemployment,' AIOCD wrote. The Economic Times report quoted AIOCD President JS Shinde and General Secretary Rajiv Singhal emphasising that offline chemists face strict rules, while 'illegal online players' remain unchecked — contributing to a 55 per cent surge in drug abuse. They also alleged misuse of telemedicine guidelines to bypass safeguards. Drug price monitoring Last month, the National Pharmaceutical Pricing Authority (NPPA) told drugmakers that it will closely watch price hikes for medicines outside the National List of Essential Medicines (NLEM). • Non-scheduled drugs can only see a 10 per cent price increase in a 12-month period. • Any increase above that will require repayment of the overcharged amount with interest and penalties. • NPPA has also directed that the same drug sold under multiple brands must have an MRP difference of no more than 10 per cent. What's next in prescription protocols? If the government acts on AIOCD's request, quick commerce players could face stricter prescription verification rules and limits on the delivery of high-risk medicines.
Time of India
5 days ago
- Health
- Time of India
Chemists seek ban on quick commerce sale of prescription drugs
The All India Organisation of Chemists and Druggists ( AIOCD ) has written to Union Home Minister Amit Shah seeking urgent action to curb the online sale and instant delivery of prescription medicines by certain e-pharmacies and quick commerce platforms such as Zepto and Blinkit. In a letter dated August 11, the organisation said these platforms are delivering Schedule H/H1/X (prescription) medicines within minutes - without proper prescription checks - posing a serious public health risk and fuelling drug abuse , especially among youth. Finance Value and Valuation Masterclass Batch-1 By CA Himanshu Jain View Program Finance Value and Valuation Masterclass - Batch 2 By CA Himanshu Jain View Program Finance Value and Valuation Masterclass - Batch 3 By CA Himanshu Jain View Program Artificial Intelligence AI For Business Professionals By Vaibhav Sisinity View Program Finance Value and Valuation Masterclass - Batch 4 By CA Himanshu Jain View Program Artificial Intelligence AI For Business Professionals Batch 2 By Ansh Mehra View Program The AIOCD highlighted key concerns including the menace of ghost prescriptions, where medicines are prescribed without genuine verification, such as prescriptions issued late at night for distant patients. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Join new Free to Play WWII MMO War Thunder War Thunder Play Now It added there is no prescription monitoring, with habit-forming drugs delivered unchecked, enabling substance abuse. The AIOCD further warned that easy online access to medicines like Pregabalin could trigger a sharp rise in misuse. Live Events "Foreign-funded start-ups are treating medicines like ordinary commodities, undermining India's domestic market and causing unemployment," it said. AIOCD President J S Shinde and General Secretary Rajiv Singhal stressed that while offline chemists face strict regulation, illegal online players remain unchecked, contributing to a 55% surge in drug abuse. "The misuse of Telemedicine Guidelines to bypass safeguards has worsened the problem," they added.
New Indian Express
30-07-2025
- Health
- New Indian Express
Chemist body calls for scrutiny of e-pharmacy ops amid fake drug busts
NEW DELHI: Amid ongoing crackdowns on counterfeit drugs in the national capital, the All-India Organisation of Chemists and Druggists (AIOCD) has voiced concerns over the unchecked operations of online pharmacy platforms. The association criticised the State Licensing Authority for its continued inaction in regulating and monitoring the functioning of these e-pharmacies. 'The online pharmacy platforms continue to sell medicines in violation of the Drugs & Cosmetics Act, 1940, posing a serious threat to public health. Our association had formally highlighted the matter to the Union Minister of State for Health and Family Welfare about the continued inaction by State Licensing Authorities (SLAs), despite repeated complaints being forwarded to them by the Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation (CDSCO). While her reply in the Rajya Sabha on July 22 mentioned that complaints regarding unauthorised sale of medicines are referred to SLAs, no visible or effective action has been taken by the SLA on the ground,' the association said on Tuesday. In the absence of final regulation, e-pharmacy platforms continue to sell habit-forming and psychotropic drugs without prescription, schedule H, H1, and X medicines in violation of the law, untraceable, diverted, and unlicensed stock, and medicines without any quality assurance or physical verification, it added. Notably, the drug control department had earlier flagged the dubious role of online platforms in the sale of counterfeit cancer drugs whose network it busted last month. Rajiv Singhal, general secretary of the AIOCD, said the e-pharmacies are running without any checks and balances. 'Recently, a large swathe of counterfeit medicine was busted in Delhi, where the roles of these e-pharmacies also came under the scanner as distribution networks. They don't document the sale of Schedule H, H1, and X medicine, which are habit-forming, which is again against the law. So either the government should take action or force them to shut operations,' he said.
Time of India
29-07-2025
- Business
- Time of India
Torrent Pharma Q1 net profit rises 20% on broad-based growth
AHMEDABAD: Homegrown pharma major, Torrent Pharmaceuticals, reported a 20% year-on-year increase in net profit to Rs 548 crore for the first quarter of FY26. This growth was driven by strong performance across its India, US, and Brazil markets. The company's consolidated revenue grew 11% to Rs 3,178 crore, while operating EBITDA rose 14% to Rs 1,032 crore. Adjusted for one-time acquisition-related costs of Rs 15 crore, EBITDA stood at Rs 1,047 crore, with a margin of 32.9%. The gross margin remained stable at 76%, and R&D spend grew 16% to Rs 157 crore. The India business, which contributed over half of its total sales, recorded revenues of Rs 1,811 crore, up 11% year-on-year, led by strong growth in chronic therapies. Torrent's chronic portfolio expanded 13%, outpacing the Indian Pharmaceutical Market's 9% growth, as per AIOCD data. You Can Also Check: Ahmedabad AQI | Weather in Ahmedabad | Bank Holidays in Ahmedabad | Public Holidays in Ahmedabad In the US, Torrent Pharma revenues rose 19% to Rs 308 crore, with new launches achieving targeted market share. Brazil revenues grew 11% to Rs 218 crore, or 16% in constant currency terms, bolstered by key brand performance and new product introductions. Germany saw 9% growth to Rs 308 crore, though constant currency sales rose just 1% due to supply disruptions at a third-party facility. Despite this, Torrent maintained steady margins and expects continued growth across geographies.
Time of India
27-07-2025
- Health
- Time of India
AIOCD demands strict action against illegal e-pharmacies; raises alarm over inaction by SLAs
The All-India Organisation of Chemists and Druggists ( AIOCD ), representing over 12.40 lakh chemists across India, has expressed grave concern over the illegal and unregulated operation of online pharmacy platforms, which allegedly continue to sell medicines in violation of the Drugs & Cosmetics Act, 1940, posing a serious threat to public health . Accoridng to a statement from AIOCD, JS Shinde, President, Rajiv Singhal, General Secretary, informed that in a formal communication addressed to the Minister of State for Health and Family Welfare, Anupriya Patel, AIOCD has highlighted the continued inaction by State Licensing Authorities (SLAs), despite repeated complaints being forwarded to them by the Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation ( CDSCO ). Explore courses from Top Institutes in Please select course: Select a Course Category Degree PGDM Operations Management MCA Data Science CXO healthcare MBA Technology Management Data Science Project Management Healthcare Cybersecurity Finance Data Analytics Leadership Design Thinking Others Artificial Intelligence others Digital Marketing Product Management Public Policy Skills you'll gain: Data-Driven Decision-Making Strategic Leadership and Transformation Global Business Acumen Comprehensive Business Expertise Duration: 2 Years University of Western Australia UWA Global MBA Starts on Jun 28, 2024 Get Details While the Minister's reply in the Rajya Sabha on 22nd July 2025 stated that complaints regarding unauthorised sale of medicines are referred to SLAs, however, AIOCD has informed that no visible or effective action has been taken by any SLA across the country. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Play War Thunder now for free War Thunder Play Now Undo To escalate this matter further, a high-level delegation of AIOCD met with the Drug Controller General of India (DCGI), Dr Rajeev Raghuvanshi, on July 21, and urged him to take the following urgent actions: Immediate crackdown on all illegal e-pharmacies operating without any valid license or oversight, including the Quick Commerce Players; Withdrawal of GSR 220(E), which was issued during the COVID-19 epidemic but is now being misused by these platforms to justify unlawful activities, and Withdrawal of GSR 817(E), the draft regulation issued in August 2018, which has remained in draft form for over eight years, enabling misuse due to lack of legal clarity, according to the statement. AIOCD has repeatedly submitted that GSR 817(E) is outdated and has failed to address the ground realities of digital drug distribution. Live Events JS Shinde, President, Rajiv Singhal, General Secretary, AIOCD, highlighted that the loosely drafted definition of 'Manufacturer' is the root cause of the issue and emphasised the need for a holistic and comprehensive approach involving all concerned departments, the statement said. AIOCD also expressed its readiness to provide suitable amendments to the Act, Rules, and relevant orders. AIOCD reiterated that medicines are not ordinary consumer goods, and their sale and distribution must not be left to automated platforms or unauthorized logistics chains. Continued inaction will lead to a public health disaster of irreversible scale. According to the statement, AIOCD demanded immediate withdrawal of GSR 817(E) and GSR 220(E) to prevent further legal misuse; Centralized enforcement action by CDSCO against all illegal online pharmacies; Action of all illegal E pharmacies on government directives must be initiated immediately by State SLA's . AIOCD appeals to the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare to take urgent action in the interest of safeguarding public health and restoring trust in India's pharmaceutical regulatory system, the statement added.
