Nagpur: As per law, websites are not allowed to sell medicines online in our country. However, certain websites which unlawfully sell medicines online are thriving, said MLA Jagannath Shinde, president of All India Association of Chemists and Druggists. Shinde was the chief guest at the event organized by Nagpur District Chemist and Druggist Association (NDCDA) to install its new team at a city hotel on Sunday.
In the past, nearly 8.5 lakh chemists have twice protested sale of drugs by websites. “We have written to MLAs regarding this, and have been assured of a notification in this regard,” said Shinde, and added that there are no laboratories or inspection officials to check sale of medicines in several states.
Youngsters form 65% of our population and many of them are engaged in drug abuse due to lack of infrastructure to control drug sales. Users often upload wrong prescriptions online, and it’s impossible to verify the identities of doctors, said Shinde.
“There are no well-qualified doctors in 60% Indian villages. Other practitioners prescribe medicines here. We will challenge online pharmacy in the high court as it is dangerous. I will try to urge the chief minister to convey the issue to the prime minister,” Shinde told TOI.
Rajendra Kawadkar was installed as the president, while Hetal Thakkar was sworn in as the secretary. Sailesh Gahlod, Virbhan Kewalramani and Sanjay Khobragade were inducted as vice-presidents.
Addressing the members, president Kawadkar acknowledged the import of medicines from other states, which has enabled certain shops to offer discounts on medicines. “We will roll out continuous education programmes on shop merchandizing and consumer interaction in order to enable members to stay afloat in the market. We will upgrade ourselves in accordance with time, through mechanisms such as computer-generated billing,” he said and added that he would promote generic medicines.