Online pharmacies players have requested government authorities to notify the e-Pharmacy Draft Rules on a priority. They have expressed willingness to partner with the government to extend last-mile support to State, Central government initiatives. Presently, the market has over 50 e-pharmacy platforms providing services to nearly 22000 pin codes across the country and employing over 30,000 people.
“With an aim to harmonise existing laws/guidelines like IT Act, D&C Act and Rules etc., the ePharmacy Draft Rules will provide sector-specific e-commerce regulations. Therefore, a simple and clear regulatory path will help unleash the potential of technology for improving access to affordable and quality medicines. The delay in the notification of e-Pharmacy draft rules is causing confusion and anxiety for all the stakeholders involved in the digital health ecosystem,” informed Dr Varun Gupta, Vice President, 1mg and Convenor, Digital Health Platform.
Dharmil Sheth, Founder, Pharmeasy commented, “There are different interpretations by various local agencies on the business model, which creates issues on operating smoothly in the country. We are absolutely compliant but we want the government to put it in black and white and leave no point to debate on this space. Currently, being a marketplace, we are governed by the IT Act, but we want a common regulatory cover, which is a combination of IT Act and Drugs and Cosmetics Act. This is where we want the government to enable the same.”
Rising popularity
The online pharmacy players state that as defined in the draft rule, e-pharmacies also works as a brick and mortar model. It enables existing pharmacies to start online operations and serve a broader set of customers, or a network of pharmacies integrating to one platform and accessing a broader customer base. The e-pharmacy model has the benefit of technology to streamline and make inventory planning, processes, and systems more efficient. And its benefits also got witnessed during the nationwide lockdown.
They also point out that the Union Home Ministry, vide order number 403/2020-D dated March 24, 2020, specifically mentioned that delivery of medicines through e-commerce is an essential service. In fact, 19 state governments declared ePharmacy as an essential service during COVID-19 lockdown.
Gupta informed, “The e-pharmacy sector through an active partnership with existing pharmacies, is firmly committed to support the government and help the nation in fighting COVID-19 pandemic. The industry is working 24×7 to ensure that people get essential medicines at home all across the country, and the reach of existing pharmacies are expanded. Importantly, the regular medicines required for ongoing treatment are also being delivered.”
Shirish Ghoge, Ex-Senior Director of Public policy and Government Affairs, Sanofi India said, “The COVID-19 pandemic has provided e-pharmacies with the much-needed impetus, showcasing the merits of their model leading to wide adoption, even beyond metro/ tier I cities. While e-pharmacies operated in India even prior to COVID–19, the lockdown allowed them to play a pivotal role by improving healthcare access. Despite the first mile challenge (disruption in supply chain upstream) and the issues related to manpower, e-pharmacies were able to spring back into action in a short period – making medicines available on time and addressing the concerns for patients (allowing some to continue their treatment e.g., diabetics, patients with cardiovascular disorders ).”
“Therefore, the success of these e-pharmacies was also rooted in the excellent collaboration across the value chain including endorsement by the government as an essential service. And going forward, we strongly believe that E-pharmacies are here to stay and COVID has cemented their presence. Adoption of technology enforced by COVID-19 is a big driver (e-consult to Rx fulfilment, all on the same portal). Currently, it is a fragmented market and post COVID-19, we will witness a lot of consolidation in this space (we are already witnessing early signs of it). And in the coming months, we will see few large players emerging out of this,” added Ghoge.
Yogesh Shukla, Di...
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