India Pharma Outlook Team | Monday, 28 July 2025
The All India Organisation of Chemists and Druggists (AIOCD) is raising serious concerns about the unregulated modus operandi of illegal e-pharmacies in India.
AIOCD sent a letter to the Drugs Controller General of India (DCGI) calling for urgent action against these platforms, highlighting that illegal pharmacy operations could jeopardise patient safety and erode the regulated pharmaceutical framework.
Through the AIOCD, associations claim that many e-pharmacies and quick-commerce players openly violate Indian law by selling prescription only medicines without a valid prescription or proper legal oversight.
Also Read: Pharmaceutical Procurement Strategies: How to Optimize Costs
AIOCD noted the inaction of state licensing authorities (SLAs) and called for GSR 220(E) (a notification to allow home delivery of medicines introduced during the pandemic) to be withdrawn immediately. It also called for the withdrawal of GSR 817(E), the 2018 draft e-pharmacy guidelines which, in its opinion, were inadequate, outdated, and abused while it takes forever to be finalised.
Industry stakeholders agree with AIOCD and attribute the absence of a legal framework and regulations as a reason behind the rapid proliferation of illegal e-pharmacies in India. They assert that with no regulations or laws in place, both public health and legitimate businesses are under grave threat from these illegal e-pharmacies. With the rise in online medicine delivery and growing misuse of antibiotics and controlled substances, the industry now awaits firm regulatory steps to curb the spread of these unlawful practices.
