Pharmacists issue caution over online platform for drug delivery Premium
A recent move to deliver medicines through a food delivery platform in Bengaluru, has raised concerns with regard to patient safety. While pharmacists are vociferously objecting to the move, even doctors are cautious about its implications.
The announcement has been met with stiff resistance from chemists and druggists’ associations, who are flagging several issues, including violation of laws governing their trade. Chemists and doctors say the government must take a call on policies to govern the operation of online pharmacies.
The Tamil Nadu Chemists and Druggists Association’s president, S. A. Ramesh, says such a move violates the Drugs and Cosmetics Act of 1940. As per the Rules, medicine should be dispensed by a qualified pharmacist after verification of the prescription, he points out.
“We are against the online sale of drugs. It is not as simple as buying groceries. We are talking about life-saving medicines. Corporates are using this as a commercial exercise, which is wrong,” he argues. “A neighbourhood pharmacist will know local families and will ensure their wellbeing. The pharmacist’s role is to instruct the patient on the method of taking the drug. We check for the authenticity of the prescription before dispensing a drug. In the case of such online platforms how do we know if a pharmacist is dispensing the prescribed drug in the right dosage,” he asks.
Abul Hassan, president of the Tamil Nadu chapter of the Indian Medical Association, says another drawback is the lack of quality control of online pharmacies. “At present, the drug controller can pick up samples randomly from a pharmacy for quality checks, preventing chances of spurious drugs entering the market,” he explains. He also flags concerns such as the displacement of thousands of people employed in medical shops and the abuse and misuse of prescription drugs without consulting a doctor.
On the flip side, online pharmacies would make drugs cheaper as the medicine will be directly distributed from the company. Also, drugs that are not available in the city can be procured online, helping patients, he points out.
Dr. Hassan however, cites the United Kingdom’s model that requires a patient to upload the prescription to a centralised system. “Once the drugs are issued the prescription becomes invalid. A similar policy guideline would help in our country,” he says.
(sujatha.r@thehindu.co.in)
Published - November 15, 2024 12:41 am IST
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