Online pharmacies have received show-cause notifications from the Drug Controller General of India (DCGI), requesting their explanations as to why no action should be taken against them for the illegal sale and distribution of drugs.
The warnings, which were released on Wednesday, claimed that the online sites were operating illegally under the 1940 Drugs and Cosmetics Act. They were given two days to submit their replies.
It was unclear if the notices, a copy of which ET has seen, have received a response from the e-pharmacies.
According to the warnings, the distribution of medications through online, internet, or other electronic platforms without a license may have an adverse effect on their quality and endanger the public's health due to the possibility of drug abuse through self-medication and indiscriminate usage.
The courts are currently hearing many cases that seek to outlaw the sale of narcotics online.
The DCGI claimed that despite directives from the top regulator to follow a Delhi High Court judgement, e-pharmacies were still discovered to be engaged in unlicensed online drug sales.
The high court issued an injunction prohibiting the respondents from selling medications online until further instructions. Subsequently, In 2019 and earlier this month, the DCGI submitted the Delhi High Court decision to drug controllers in all states and union territories for appropriate action and compliance.
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