Pharmacy associations in Karnataka have voiced strong support for CCTV surveillance in retail medical stores, calling it a necessary step to improve safety, transparency, and accountability. The Karnataka Registered Pharmacists Association (KRPA), Karnataka Pharma Retailers & Distributors Organization (KPRDO), and Bangalore District Chemists and Druggists Association (BDCDA) have endorsed the measure, aligning with Mumbai FDA and Police initiatives. However, they caution that unless online drug sales via social media are also addressed, CCTV alone won’t solve the broader problem of unauthorized access to medicines.

Key highlights

CCTV seen as essential in physical pharmacy outlets

• KRPA president Dr Kaushik Devaraju stressed that pharmacies deal with sensitive drugs and data, making surveillance a non-negotiable requirement.

• CCTV deters theft, ensures staff safety, and provides a record in case of disputes or errors.

• It also helps monitor dispensing accuracy, hygiene, and service quality.

BDCDA calls CCTV a ‘social responsibility’

• BDCDA president B Thirunavukkarasu highlighted its role in preventing counterfeit drug circulation and staff harassment.

• CCTV footage can aid local law enforcement by capturing roadside incidents too.

• Patients benefit from enhanced trust and transparency in their medicine-buying experience.

Concerns over online drug sales on social media

• KPRDO president C Jayaram warned that illegal drug sales on Facebook, Instagram, and delivery apps are a bigger threat.

• He questioned how enforcement can regulate platforms that exist outside physical surveillance.

• Unless social media medicine ads and deliveries are curbed, CCTV in pharmacies alone will not stop unauthorized sales.

Call for broader regulatory reforms

• Associations urge the government to crack down on digital drug sellers before enforcing laws on physical retailers.

• They support Mumbai FDA’s initiative but want comprehensive action across channels.

• Emphasis on regulation parity both offline and online to protect public health.

While Karnataka pharmacy leaders support the installation of CCTV as a step forward, they urge the government to first take firm action against illegal medicine sales via social media and e-commerce platforms. Without addressing the digital loopholes, they say, offline surveillance measures will have limited impact. For real accountability in India’s medicine ecosystem, both online and offline regulation must go hand in hand.