The rise of e-pharmacies in India: A comprehensive guide

E-pharmacies are a new way to buy medicines. They're convenient, easy, and good for you! A web-based pharmacy is an online platform that offers clients the ability to buy prescription medications and E-services online, enabling the customer to get the medications or services in the convenience of their homes quickly.

Patients may now easily get necessary medications and healthcare items thanks to the growth of online pharmacies. Millions of Indians use Internet pharmacies frequently because of their accessibility, cost, and convenience. Yet, with this growth come doubts and worries regarding the regulation and safety of online pharmacies.

In this complete guide, we will go deeply into the rise of online pharmacy in India, learning about its history, regulatory environment, benefits and drawbacks, and future prospects. This post will help anybody interested in the future of healthcare in India, whether a patient or a healthcare practitioner.

What is an e-pharmacy?

Due to the global epidemic, several businesses have turned to the Internet market. One such vital sector in India is the pharmaceutical industry. During the past three to five years, there has been an increase in internet pharmacies throughout the Indian subcontinent.

Particularly during this epidemic, where multiple E-pharma firms have arisen as lifelines and are working tirelessly to expand their services to the public, the demand for E-pharmacy has grown tremendously. Now, India has more than 50 start-ups in the e-pharmacy sector offering high-quality, low-cost medications to around 5,000,000 people nationwide each month.

Online pharmacy laws in India

Several legal concerns relating to online transactions are governed by the Information Technology Act 2000, although it is quiet on online pharmacies.

As a result, there are more illicit internet pharmacies in India. It has been said that online pharmacy in India may benefit several stakeholders, provided they are properly regulated.

The selling of pharmaceuticals on the Drugs and Cosmetics Act, 1940, & the Drugs and Cosmetics Regulations, 1945, have specific rules. There are particular requirements, including labeling, which may only be purchased with a prescription.

As of 2013, most Indian internet pharmacies violated Indian and international law and were subject to regulatory action. According to media reports, certain internet pharmacies are under the influence of sophisticated criminal organizations.

The anti-narcotics cell (ANC) of India has seen widespread addiction and rampant sales of MD (chemical "mephedrone"), a novel chemical substance that is available without restriction through internet pharmacies. A revision to the Narcotics Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act was anticipated by ANC in 2014.

Trends and Predictions for the Future of E-pharmacies in India

E-commerce has experienced exponential expansion across categories due to rising internet usage and the availability of smartphones; from groceries to fashion, individuals have begun to buy most of their needs online.

E-pharmacies have arisen as a potential industry due to this significant change in consumer buying habits since they provide the convenience of purchasing from the comfort of homes.

In 2020, the worldwide e-Pharmacy industry was estimated to be worth US$ 0.8 billion, with prescription drugs accounting for 68% of sales and over-the-counter (OTC) drugs accounting for 32%. In 2020, there were 50 active e-pharmacies in the Indian market, which generated 14% of all e-pharmacies sales in the Asia Pacific region.

Conclusion

Online pharmacy in India will continue to grow for years. We can expect them to become more prevalent, innovative, and convenient as time passes. It is important for people who use e-pharmacies regularly or plan on doing so in the future to take note of all the aspects mentioned above so they can make an informed decision about their needs when choosing one over another.