Pune, 16 August 2025: Chemist associations across India, including the Pune Chemist Association, have raised strong objections to the ongoing illegal sale of medicines through online platforms. They have urged the government to immediately impose a ban on e-pharmacy companies that promise “10-minute delivery” of medicines, calling the practice dangerous and unlawful.
According to the All India Organisation of Chemists and Druggists (AIOCD), the misuse of medicines through online sales has risen by nearly 55% in recent years. The association claims that many of these companies have no valid license to sell medicines online, and in several cases, drugs are supplied without a doctor’s prescription. Questions have also been raised about the source, storage conditions, and quality of such medicines.
The associations have alleged that abortion pills and habit-forming drugs are being sold freely through these platforms. They stressed that while licensed pharmacists follow the Drugs and Cosmetics Act, 1940, e-pharmacies are openly flouting the law without facing penalties.
AIOCD president Jagnnath Shinde and general secretary Rajiv Singhal have submitted a memorandum to Union Home Minister Amit Shah, warning that treating medicines like food delivery items is a direct violation of the law. They noted that several prescription-only drugs are being sold online without verification, making it a public health risk.
Pune District Chemist Association president Anil Belkar said the issue is not just about business competition but about safety. He pointed out that some medicines require strict storage conditions and professional supervision. “If the wrong medicine reaches a patient or if it is stored improperly, the consequences could be serious. For the sake of public health, such sales must be stopped,” he said.
Currently, Maharashtra has nearly 4.7 lakh licensed chemists who operate under strict regulations. The associations argue that allowing unregulated online sales undermines both public safety and the livelihoods of traditional pharmacists.
