The Diplomat Desk
Jammu ,TDD,The All India Organization of Chemists and Druggists (AIOCD) has expressed serious concerns about a potential partnership between Swiggy Instamart and PharmEasy to deliver medicines in 10 minutes through “dark stores.” In a letter to the Drug Controller General of India (DCGI), the AIOCD highlighted potential violations of Indian laws and standards, along with risks to public health and safety.
The chemists’ group worries that this partnership could lead to a disregard for prescription checking and patient identification, potentially endangering the lives of consumers. Additionally, they fear that the unregulated operation of e-pharmacies could exacerbate the problem of antimicrobial resistance (AMR).
Furthermore, the AIOCD expressed concerns about the reliability of PharmEasy, which is currently embroiled in several legal cases due to regulatory violations. The group believes that the ultra-fast delivery model could increase the risk of expired or counterfeit medicines reaching patients, compromising quality and safety standards.
The AIOCD urges the government to thoroughly review these issues and take necessary steps to protect public health and ensure the safety of healthcare services. They emphasize the importance of upholding the role of traditional chemists and will continue to oppose any potential threats to public safety.TDD