In a bold move to curb drug abuse, Tamil Nadu Health Secretary Supriya Sahu has urged the Drugs Controller General of India (DCGI) to fast-track the creation of regulations for online pharmaceutical sales and take immediate action to ban websites that illegally sell habit-forming drugs.
Concerns Over Unregulated Online Drug Sales
The Health Secretary highlighted the increasing availability of habit-forming drugs, such as Tapentadol, on e-commerce platforms. This growing trend poses a serious public health challenge, undermining Tamil Nadu’s extensive anti-drug measures, which include educational outreach and stringent law enforcement.
“The sale of Schedule H and H1 medicines without prescriptions or pharmacist supervision directly violates Section 18(c) of the Drugs and Cosmetics Act, 1940, along with other related rules,” noted Ms. Sahu in her letter to Rajeev Singh Raghuvanshi, the DCGI.
Challenges in Regulating Online Sales

• Minimal Seller Information: Sellers on these platforms often provide misleading or insufficient details, making investigations challenging.

• No State Powers to Block Websites: Current laws prevent States from taking direct action to block these websites, despite their violations.

• Cross-Border Operations: E-commerce platforms operate without geographical boundaries, complicating enforcement and enabling the spread of habit-forming drugs.

Call to Action
Ms. Sahu has called for:

1. Immediate Intervention: Ban websites selling habit-forming drugs in violation of existing laws.

2. Transparency: Ensure sellers on online platforms are licensed and monitored.

3. Stricter Regulations: Expedite the formulation of clear rules governing the online sale of pharmaceuticals.

A Looming Public Health Crisis
Rampant misuse of habit-forming drugs has alarmed law enforcement and public health authorities. Without effective regulations, the flow of these substances through online channels continues to evade scrutiny, undermining efforts to prevent drug abuse among students and the public.
By pushing for these changes, Tamil Nadu aims to set a national precedent for addressing this critical issue and ensuring the safe and responsible sale of medicines.