E-pharmacies, chemists at odds on home delivery halt

The govt's move can disrupt the business of e-pharmacies such as Tata Img, Amazon, Flipkart

- Priyanka Sharma

The Centre's move to consider stopping doorstep delivery of medicines has stirred up a hornet's nest, with an association of chemists and druggists strongly supporting the move, and e-pharmacy and e-commerce platforms opposing it. Meanwhile, doctors have jumped into the debate, advocating for continuing doorstep delivery, but with adequate checks and balances.

At a meeting on 24 April, the drugs technical advisory board (DTAB), India's top expert panel on drugs, had recommended that a sub-committee be set up to examine the possible withdrawal of a March 2020, pandemic-era notification that legally permitted such deliveries, according to the minutes of the meeting that Mint has reviewed, and according to three government officials who spoke on the condition of anonymity.