New Delhi: The All India Organisation of Chemists and Druggists (AIOCD), representing more than 1.24 million chemists across the country, has written to Union Home Minister Amit Shah, calling for immediate action against the illegal online sale and rapid delivery of prescription medicines by e-pharmacies and quick commerce platforms such as Zepto and Blinkit.

In a strongly-worded letter, AIOCD President JS Shinde and General Secretary Rajiv Singhal warned that these platforms are flouting both a Delhi High Court injunction and the clear provisions of the Drugs and Cosmetics Act.

Medicines without prescription?

According to the AIOCD, Schedule H, H1 and X medicines--many of which are habit-forming--are being delivered within minutes, often without genuine prescription verification, posing a serious threat to public health and fuelling drug abuse, particularly among young people.

Key concerns raised by the organisation include the rise of so-called "ghost prescriptions"--medicines prescribed without proper medical oversight, often at odd hours and for patients located miles away. The letter also highlighted the absence of prescription monitoring, enabling dangerous substances like pregabalin to be easily misused, leading to a surge in addiction cases.

The AIOCD further accused foreign-funded start-ups of treating medicines like everyday commodities in a bid to sidestep legal scrutiny and maximise profits. This, the organisation said, not only undermines the domestic pharmaceutical retail sector but also contributes to unemployment in the country.

No regulations for online platforms?

While physical chemists and druggists are subjected to stringent regulatory compliance, online platforms continue to operate with relative impunity, the AIOCD alleged. It cited a 55 per cent increase in drug abuse as evidence of the worsening crisis and claimed that the misuse of telemedicine guidelines has only made matters worse.

Calling for decisive action, the organisation urged the government to impose an immediate ban on the online sale and express delivery of Schedule H/H1/X drugs, shut down e-pharmacies operating in violation of the law, and implement strict enforcement to safeguard the health of the nation’s youth.

“This is not merely a regulatory issue--it is about safeguarding the health and future of our country,” the AIOCD leadership stated. “We fully support Amit Shah’s mission of Ek Yudh Nashe Ke Viruddh and stand ready to support the government in eradicating this menace.”

The organisation concluded its plea with a stark message: “Stop the drug trade--AIOCD stands strong with the nation.”