inching closer towards a policy on the use of information technology on online pharmacy, Drug Controller General of India (DCGI) informed that a centralised portal for regulating online pharmacies may come anytime during this year.
The much awaited centralised portal was supposed to be launched last year following Drug Consultative Committee (DCC) acceptance of recommendations by a select group of state drug regulators on online pharmacy.
The online platform which will involve manufacturers and supply chain managers is being developed by CDSCO in close consultation with Department of Pharmaceuticals (DoP), Law Ministry and Commerce Ministry.
“There is a clear-cut policy on keeping a tab on online pharmacies but based on the recommendations with all the concerned stakeholders, CDSCO is looking into certain technical issues before launching the portal, which will be done very soon without disturbing existing systems,” says DCGI Dr G N Singh.
Guidelines on the same were submitted in 2016 by a sub-committee under the chairmanship of former Maharashtra Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Commissioner Dr Harshdeep Kamble.
The sub-committee had taken representations and views from the concerned stakeholders for a comprehensive online policy which will mark a positive step towards formulating a policy and subsequent release of a set of guidelines on the use of information technology in online pharmacy and authorise its legal validity.
Online pharmacy is currently governed by Information Technology (IT) Act, 2000 and Drugs and Cosmetics Act, 1940 but recommendations from all stakeholders had been sought on the broad contours of a policy that will also ensure a level playing field for online pharmacies vis-a-vis traditional retailers.
DCC met on November 6, 2016 and accepted the much awaited recommendations of a select group of state drug regulators on online pharmacy under the chairmanship of Dr Kamble.
DCC had last year deliberated on aspects related to information technology which can be aligned with the drug regulations existing currently to suit patient needs among other major points.
The much awaited centralised portal was supposed to be launched last year following Drug Consultative Committee (DCC) acceptance of recommendations by a select group of state drug regulators on online pharmacy.
The online platform which will involve manufacturers and supply chain managers is being developed by CDSCO in close consultation with Department of Pharmaceuticals (DoP), Law Ministry and Commerce Ministry.
“There is a clear-cut policy on keeping a tab on online pharmacies but based on the recommendations with all the concerned stakeholders, CDSCO is looking into certain technical issues before launching the portal, which will be done very soon without disturbing existing systems,” says DCGI Dr G N Singh.
Guidelines on the same were submitted in 2016 by a sub-committee under the chairmanship of former Maharashtra Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Commissioner Dr Harshdeep Kamble.
The sub-committee had taken representations and views from the concerned stakeholders for a comprehensive online policy which will mark a positive step towards formulating a policy and subsequent release of a set of guidelines on the use of information technology in online pharmacy and authorise its legal validity.
Online pharmacy is currently governed by Information Technology (IT) Act, 2000 and Drugs and Cosmetics Act, 1940 but recommendations from all stakeholders had been sought on the broad contours of a policy that will also ensure a level playing field for online pharmacies vis-a-vis traditional retailers.
DCC met on November 6, 2016 and accepted the much awaited recommendations of a select group of state drug regulators on online pharmacy under the chairmanship of Dr Kamble.
DCC had last year deliberated on aspects related to information technology which can be aligned with the drug regulations existing currently to suit patient needs among other major points.