KPRDO Urges Karnataka FDA to Address Concerns Over Rapid Medicine Delivery by E-Pharmacies

In a letter addressed to FDA Commissioner K. Srinivas and State Drugs Control Licensing Authority B.P. Arun, KPRDO highlighted the alleged illegal operations of these e-pharmacies.

The Karnataka Pharma Retailers and Distributors Organization (KPRDO) has called upon the newly established Karnataka Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to take immediate action against the partnership between Swiggy Instamart and PharmEasy for their rapid 10-minute medicine delivery service.

KPRDO claims that such practices breach the Drugs and Cosmetics Act, 1940, and pose significant risks to public health, including the potential for antimicrobial resistance.

In a letter addressed to FDA Commissioner K. Srinivas and State Drugs Control Licensing Authority B.P. Arun, KPRDO highlighted the alleged illegal operations of these e-pharmacies.

The organization emphasized that the partnership violates Chapter IV, Section 18(c) of the Drugs and Cosmetics Act, which mandates proper licensing for the sale, stock, or distribution of medicines.

C Jayaram, President of KPRDO, criticized the collaboration between Swiggy Instamart and PharmEasy for treating medicine dispensing as a fast-delivery model akin to FMCG services.

He stated that licensed pharmacists are essential in reviewing prescriptions, verifying drug combinations, and consulting with medical practitioners to ensure safe medication dispensing.

By bypassing these safeguards, the partnership compromises professional pharmacy practices and patient safety.

Jayaram also flagged the risks associated with express medicine delivery, including the sale of substandard, counterfeit, or expired drugs. He argued that prioritizing speed over quality in medicine delivery could prove fatal to patients and undermine public trust in the healthcare system.

Legal Implications & Regulatory Violations

According to KPRDO, Swiggy Instamart’s operations lack the necessary licensing under Section 18(c) of the Drugs and Cosmetics Act, 1940.

Advertising such services on social media and in print violates legal provisions and is punishable under the Act.

KPRDO stressed that these practices undermine the regulatory framework governing the pharmaceutical industry, endangering the public by potentially dispensing unsafe medications without proper oversight.

Call for Regulatory Intervention

The organization urged the Karnataka FDA to take stringent action against Swiggy Instamart, PharmEasy, and other unlicensed e-pharmacies operating in the state.

It also requested the involvement of the Information Technology Ministry to regulate and ban advertisements promoting the sale of medicines on social media platforms, television, and newspapers.

Jayaram concluded by emphasizing the need for Karnataka to set a national benchmark for drug dispensing practices.

He called for a comprehensive crackdown on illegal e-pharmacy operations to ensure unbiased and safe drug distribution standards across the state.

KPRDO’s appeal underscores growing concerns about the safety and legality of e-pharmacy operations in India.

As healthcare delivery becomes increasingly digitized, stakeholders must navigate the balance between innovation and compliance to safeguard public health.

The Karnataka FDA is yet to respond to the organization’s demands, but this issue highlights the urgent need for regulatory clarity in India’s evolving e-pharmacy landscape.

Stay tuned for more such updates on Digital Health News.