E-Pharmacy Debate: Retail Chemists Seek Regulatory Review
The Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation is addressing concerns from retail chemists regarding e-pharmacies, as several state pharmacy associations reject a nationwide strike aimed at expressing these issues. The focus is on patient welfare and maintaining uninterrupted medicine supply, while assuring a regulatory review.
- Country:
- India
The Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation (CDSCO) is actively reviewing concerns raised by retail chemists over e-pharmacies. This comes as various state pharmacy associations have chosen not to participate in a nationwide strike called by the All India Organisation of Chemists and Druggists (AIOCD) on May 20.
Representatives from AIOCD recently met with the national drug regulator, voicing apprehensions about the operations and regulation of online pharmacies. According to official sources, the regulator confirmed that these concerns are under ongoing review, with intentions to address the legitimate issues faced by retail pharmacy stakeholders.
Many retail pharmacy associations have decided against joining the one-day strike, emphasizing the necessity to maintain medicine availability for the public. Associations from multiple states, including West Bengal and Kerala, have pledged to ensure no disruption in medicine availability, prioritizing public health and relying on constructive dialogue to resolve industry concerns.
(With inputs from agencies.)
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