**Summary:**
The Ministry of Chemicals and Fertilizers addresses the regulation of online pharmacies, specifically concerning the sale of addictive painkillers and psychotropic drugs. State Licensing Authorities (SLAs), appointed by State Governments under the Drugs and Cosmetics Act, 1940, currently regulate the sale and distribution of drugs, including painkillers and psychotropic substances. Acknowledging the need for comprehensive regulation of online medicine sales, the Government of India issued draft rules on August 28, 2018, seeking public and stakeholder input on amendments to the Drugs Rules, 1945. These proposed amendments aim to incorporate specific provisions for regulating the sale and distribution of drugs through e-pharmacies. The draft rules encompass key areas such as e-pharmacy registration, regular inspections, procedures for drug distribution and sales, prohibition of drug advertising, complaint resolution mechanisms, and overall monitoring of e-pharmacy operations. This information was provided by the Union Minister of State for Chemicals and Fertilizers, Smt. Anupriya Patel, in a written reply in Lok Sabha.
Key Entities Referenced
Ministry of Chemicals and Fertilizers: The Indian government ministry responsible for the chemical and fertilizer sectors.
Psychotropic Drugs: Medications that affect the mind, behavior, or emotions.
State Licencing Authorities (SLAs): Government bodies at the state level in India responsible for licensing and regulating the sale and distribution of drugs.
Drugs and Cosmetics Act, 1940: An act of the Parliament of India that regulates the import, manufacture, distribution and sale of drugs and cosmetics.
Drugs Rules, 1945: Rules formulated under the Drugs and Cosmetics Act, 1940, providing detailed regulations for drugs and cosmetics.
Anupriya Patel: The Union Minister of State for Chemicals and Fertilizers.
Lok Sabha: The lower house of the Parliament of India.
Delhi: Delhi, a city and a union territory of India
Ministry of Chemicals and Fertilizers
Sale of Addictive Pain killers/Psychotropic Drugs by
Online Pharmacies
State Licencing Authorities (SLAs) appointed by
State Government under the Drugs and Cosmetics
Act, 1940 regulate the Sale and distribution of drugs
including painkillers and psychotropic drugs
With a view to comprehensively regulate online sale
of medicines, the Government of India has published
draft rules vide its notification dated 28.8.2018
inviting comments from public and stakeholders
Posted On: 08 AUG 2025 5:12PM by PIB Delhi
Sale and distribution of drugs including painkillers and psychotropic drugs are regulated by the State
Licencing Authorities (SLAs) appointed by State Government under the Drugs and Cosmetics Act, 1940 and
the rules made thereunder. SLAs are empowered under the said Act and rules for implementation of its
provisions and monitoring and in case of non-compliance, they may take action in accordance with the
provisions of the said Act and rules.
Further, with a view to comprehensively regulate online sale of medicines, the Government of India has
published draft rules vide its notification dated 28.8.2018, inviting comments from public and stakeholders on
amendments to the Drugs Rules, 1945 for incorporating provisions relating to regulation of sale and
distribution of drugs through e-pharmacy.
The draft rules contain provisions for registration of e-pharmacy, periodic inspection of e-pharmacy,
procedure for distribution or sale of drugs through e-pharmacy, prohibition of advertisement of drugs through
e-pharmacy, complaint redressal mechanism, monitoring of e-pharmacy, etc.
This information was given by the Union Minister of State for Chemicals and Fertilizers Smt Anupriya Patel
in Lok Sabha in a written reply to a question today.
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MV/GS
(Release ID: 2154213)