|
In a strategic shift from outright opposition to a technology-driven counter-proposal, the All India Chemists and Distributors Federation (AICDF) has formally submitted a memorandum to the union health ministry, advocating for a mandatory "e-prescription" gateway.
While the Federation abstained from the high-level consultation called by the Drugs Controller General of India (DCGI) on April 2, 2026, AICDF president Kailash Gupta held a parallel meeting with the deputy secretary of the health ministry to hand over the representation, arguing that any digital transition must prioritize clinical governance over the ‘mere online trading’ of life-saving drugs, according to Joydeep Sarkar, general secretary of AICDF.
The Federation’s latest submission marks a pivotal moment in a nearly decade-long regulatory battle. The AICDF clarified that it is not opposed to e-pharmacy as a concept of e-governance but remains vehemently against the unregulated online sale of medicines. The proposal suggests a centralized portal where doctors must issue digitized prescriptions that are locked once served by any licensed chemist, thereby preventing the rampant fabrication of documents and the multi-use of advice memos currently seen in the e-commerce sector.
This refined stance follows a history of intense friction between the trade body and the ministry of health. In late 2018, the AICDF first raised the red flag against the draft GSR-817 (E), which aimed to legalize online pharmaceutical businesses. At the time, the Federation labelled the draft a ‘Valid Entry Pass’ for Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) in retail and argued that treating medicines like common groceries or apparel would lead to fatal consequences for public health due to the lack of physical oversight and pharmacist intervention.
The conflict escalated further in September 2020, when the trade body accused the regulatory authorities of indirectly encouraging illegal operators by failing to enforce a Delhi High Court stay order on online medicine sales. During that period, the entry of corporate juggernauts like Reliance (RIL), Amazon, and Flipkart into the pharma space triggered a wave of educated unemployment fears among the 12 lakh traditional drug licensees. The Federation had even threatened a nationwide indefinite strike, alleging a conspiracy by the Drug Technical Advisory Board to favour millionaire investors over small-scale retailers.
In the memorandum submitted this week, the AICDF presented a ‘Law of Equality’ framework, demanding that e-governance should not be the exclusive privilege of a handful of corporate entities or chain stores. Instead, they argued that every retail and wholesale licensee equipped with a computer and internet should be empowered to participate in the digital ecosystem. This move is seen as an attempt to democratize the technology and protect small traders from being pushed out by high registration fees and modified license norms.
In addition to this, the AICDF highlighted the ironic nature of current online sales, where the auditing of prescriptions is often bypassed, leading to the potential misuse of life-saving formulations. By proposing an ‘e-prescription first’ mandate, the Federation aims to ensure that the distribution system remains under the strict control of registered pharmacists. They cautioned that ‘e-pharmacy in the disguise of online trading’ is an unscientific approach that could destroy the very purpose of India’s healthcare support system.
While the DCGI proceeded with its scheduled consultations with other stakeholders, the AICDF’s direct intervention at the Ministry level ensures their "e-governance v/s online sale’ distinction remains on the official record. The retail fraternity is prepared to launch a legal battle against any policy that favours big corporations over small traders.
|