E-pharmacies

Online pharmacies suffer without regulatory prescriptions in India

The absence of a legal framework governing this fast-growing segment of the pharma retailing business is causing confusion in the industry

India's drug regulator serves show-cause notice to online pharmacies

Gives firms two days to respond to allegations that they flouted rules

Udaan to provide medicine delivery to pharmacies every 4-hour

As part of the new service offering, Udaan will provide medicine delivery to pharmacies every 4-hour with 4 delivery slot options in a day to order medicines across six cities

Online pharmacy platform Tata 1mg turns unicorn after raising $40 mn

Funding round was led by Tata Digital; Tata 1mg has become 105th unicorn in India

Draft Bill 2022 seeks to regulate e-pharmacies and medical devices

Centre also proposes to have an expert group on medical devices

Govt moots regulation of e-pharmacies, trial mishap penalties in new bill

Also, for the first time, regulations for conduct of clinical trials for new drugs and medical devices have been brought under the draft New Drugs, Medical Devices and Cosmetics Bill, 2022

Two Cipla promoters sell 20 mn shares; promoter group now holds 34.23%

Chairman Y K Hamied and Vice Chairman MK Hamied, who are non-executive directors and promoters, have sold 2,01,69,756 shares on Tuesday

After e-commerce, CCI looks at pharma sector to unlock competition

Will study the role of trade associations and e-pharmacies in supply chain and whether they're distorting competition

E-pharmacies urge govt to notify e-pharmacy rules vital to health Mission

Online pharmacies on Thursday said they have requested the government to notify the final e-pharmacy rules. A vibrant e-pharmacy remains a vital cog in the implementation of the National Digital Health Mission, association of Indian internet pharmacies Digital Health Platforms said in a letter to Prime Minister Narendra Modi. "It is our sincere request that the government notify the final e-pharmacy rules," the association added. Draft e-Pharmacy Rules are in addition to, and not in substitution of, the existing legal framework of the IT act and DC (Drugs and Cosmetics) Act and Rules, which the existing e-pharmacies are fully compliant with, the letter said. Therefore, the registration of e-pharmacies under the proposed Draft Rules is over and above the existing relevant Act and Rules, it added. "A vibrant e-Pharmacy sector continues to be a key element in successfully implementing the National Digital Health Mission, and governmental support and motivation to the sector is critic

Chemist body AIOCD writes to Jeff Bezos, says e-pharmacies are 'illegal'

The top body of chemists and druggists has shot off a letter to Amazon CEO Jeff Bezos on the world's largest online retailer entering the online pharmacy space in India, saying e-pharmacies are "illegal" and not allowed under the country's laws. The All India Organisation of Chemists and Druggists (AIOCD), which claims to represent 8.5 lakh chemists, on August 14 wrote to Bezos and his India CEO Amit Agarwal saying the online pharmacy space "has been marred by extreme controversies, court cases, and legal issues in last few years." "We are writing to you as we came to know that www.amazon.in has decided to enter 'online pharmacy' space, probably oblivious to the fact that e-pharmacies are illegal and not recognised by the laws under Drug and Cosmetic Act & Rules thereunder," it wrote. Earlier this month, Amazon launched an online pharmacy in Bengaluru. Amazon Pharmacy has started accepting orders for both over-the-counter and prescription-based medicines and is also selling ...

Medlife, PharmEasy agree to merge; deal may be valued at over $1 bn

The proposed combination relates to the acquisition of 100 per cent equity shares of Medlife by API Holdings, the parent of PharmEasy, in return for 19.59 per cent equity share capital

Amazon enters online pharmacy space in India; to compete with Netmeds, 1mg

The service would allow customers to order prescription-based medication in addition to over-the-counter medicines, basic health devices and Ayurveda medication from certified sellers

Govt suspends website promoting e-pharmas on Aarogya Setu after HC order

In view of the Centre's stand, Justice Navin Chawla disposed of the petition filed by South Chemists and Distributors Association

Digital payments and the pandemic

Decline in payments volume to the airlines, railways or hospitality industry could have affected digital payments adversely

E-pharmacies ramp up hiring as orders grow two-fold amid Covid-19 lockdown

Gurugram-based 1mg, for example, is looking to immediately hire 500 people and another 1,000 over the next 2-3 months

Online pharmacies on hiring mode as orders during Covid-19 lockdown

Most e-pharmacies are operating with minimal staff and are not able to fulfill customer orders

New order facilitating doorstep delivery of drugs confuses e-pharma firms

The notification allows licence holders to deliver drugs but these online marketplaces, which connects sellers and customers, do not hold any licence

Despite challenges, e-pharmacies sweeten the delivery pill by using tech

The platforms have seen an upsurge up to 3x their weekly average orders, with hand sanitisers and masks being the most sought-after products

Online pharmacies see record funding in 2019, investments double to $321 mn

The industry experts are expecting more activity in the segment, especially if a delayed regulatory framework takes place during the current year.

PharmEasy, 1mg, Netmeds look to power their brands, build trust in business

According to many reports, e-pharmacies have spent well over their capacities in building their brands