AIOCD Urges PM Modi To Crack Down On Illegal E-pharmacies After US Crackdown

The All India Organisation of Chemists and Druggists (AIOCD) has urged Prime Minister Narendra Modi to take immediate action against what it describes as the unchecked growth of illegal e-pharmacies in the country, warning that the unregulated online sale of medicines poses a serious threat to public health.

In a recent communication to the Prime Minister, the association—which represents over 13 lakh licensed chemists across India—said the issue has moved beyond trade concerns and now directly impacts patient safety, drug quality, and regulatory credibility.

The appeal follows developments in the United States, where the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) recently carried out a large-scale crackdown titled "Operation Meltdown." The operation led to the closure of more than 200 online pharmacy websites allegedly linked to a criminal network with connections to India.

Referring to the U.S. action, the AIOCD General Secretary, Rajiv Singhal, said in the letter that the episode underscores the scale of risks associated with digital drug sales. If such abuse could occur in a jurisdiction known for stringent enforcement, it argued, the potential dangers in India—where regulatory monitoring remains uneven—are far more alarming.

At the center of the association’s demands is the withdrawal of government notifications GSR 220(E) and GSR 817(E). According to the chemists’ body, these provisions are being used by certain online operators to justify medicine sales that bypass prescription safeguards, verification processes, and storage norms mandated under the Drugs and Cosmetics Act.

Singhal alleged that regulatory gaps enable the circulation of spurious, substandard, or misbranded medicines. He also flagged concerns over cold-chain compliance, noting that temperature-sensitive drugs such as vaccines and insulin require strict handling protocols. Any lapse, he said, could compromise efficacy and patient safety.

Another major concern raised in the letter is antimicrobial resistance (AMR). Citing warnings issued by the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR), the association said indiscriminate access to antibiotics through online platforms encourages self-medication, incomplete treatment courses, and repeat purchases without medical supervision—all of which accelerate resistance and weaken the effectiveness of life-saving drugs.

The association further pointed to previous observations by the Delhi High Court questioning the legality of unregulated e-pharmacies. Despite such judicial scrutiny, it said enforcement has not kept pace with the rapid expansion of digital medicine platforms.

According to the AIOCD, the prevailing model incentivizes volume-based sales rather than patient verification, increasing the risk of misuse, diversion, and addiction, particularly among younger consumers.

The concerns mirror warnings issued earlier this year by the DEA. In a public advisory issued in 2024, the agency had cautioned Americans about a surge in illegal internet pharmacies that masqueraded as legitimate businesses while distributing counterfeit medicines. Many of these websites projected themselves as U.S.-based and compliant with standards of the Food and Drug Administration. Investigations, however, revealed that several were sourcing counterfeit pills through drug trafficking networks.

Authorities warned that some counterfeit tablets contained dangerous substances such as fentanyl or methamphetamine, posing risks of severe side effects, treatment failure, or fatal overdose.

Drawing parallels, the AIOCD has cautioned that a professional-looking website is no guarantee of safety or legality. Without a robust regulatory framework and stricter enforcement, it warned, India risks being perceived as a permissive corridor for unlawful pharmaceutical trade.

Calling for "immediate and decisive intervention", the association has urged the government to close illegally operating e-pharmacies and strengthen oversight mechanisms to safeguard public health and preserve the integrity of India’s drug distribution system. This is not the first time that the chemist body has written to the Prime Minister in the matter. It has been highlighting its concern against e-pharmacy operations several times, alleging that they risk patient safety.