AIOCD Urges PM to Shut Down Illegal E-Pharmacies Over Antibiotic Resistance Risks

The AIOCD has offered structured cooperation with the government to ensure that prescription drugs are not sold without valid medical authorization.

The All India Organisation of Chemists and Druggists (AIOCD) has sought Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s immediate intervention to curb the operation of illegal e-pharmacies across India, citing growing concerns over the misuse of antibiotics and the rising threat of antimicrobial resistance.

Referring to concerns highlighted by the Prime Minister in a recent Mann Ki Baat address, based on findings from the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR), the trade body said the unchecked sale of prescription medicines online is contributing to a nationwide health challenge.

The AIOCD has offered structured cooperation with the government to ensure that prescription drugs are not sold without valid medical authorization.

Representing more than 12 lakh licensed chemists and druggists nationwide, the organization said the indiscriminate use of antibiotics through self-medication is reducing the effectiveness of treatments for common infections, including pneumonia and urinary tract infections. According to the AIOCD, this trend is placing increasing strain on the healthcare system and heightening the risk of treatment failures.

The body alleged that several online platforms are operating in violation of the Drugs and Cosmetics Act, 1940, and related rules by supplying regulated prescription medicines without requiring a legitimate doctor’s prescription. It said this lack of regulatory oversight has significantly contributed to the rise in self-medication practices among patients.

In its representation, the AIOCD also outlined how certain e-pharmacies allegedly bypass legal safeguards by misusing telemedicine guidelines. The organization claimed that some platforms facilitate brief consultations with unfamiliar doctors, leading to prescriptions being issued on oral requests alone, which are then used to dispense prescription-only medicines.

The trade body further noted that the Delhi High Court has previously observed that e-pharmacies are illegal, yet enforcement action against such platforms remains inadequate. It added that regulatory authorities and media reports have repeatedly highlighted these violations, but corrective measures have been limited.

The AIOCD warned that delays in regulatory action could worsen antimicrobial resistance, leading to higher healthcare costs and an overburdened treatment infrastructure. The letter to the Prime Minister was signed by AIOCD president J S Shinde and general secretary Rajiv Singhal, who reiterated that antibiotics should only be used when supported by a valid medical prescription.

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