CPI seeks legal guidelines for regulating online medicine sales

The Communist Party of India (CPI) Andhra Pradesh unit secretary Gujjala Eswaraiah has urged Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu to formulate robust legal guidelines for regulating online medicine sales.

In a representation submitted to the State government on Wednesday, Mr. Eswaraiah said the rapid growth of digital technology, telemedicine services and smartphone-based e-commerce had transformed healthcare delivery, making doorstep medicine supply through e-pharmacy platforms increasingly accessible.

He alleged that opposition from retail chemist associations against online pharmacies was aimed at protecting their monopoly and profit margins rather than public health.

The CPI leader claimed that online pharmacy platforms could provide consumers, especially patients suffering from chronic illnesses, access to branded medicines at lower prices through bulk procurement and discounts.

He alleged that many retail pharmacies were promoting high-margin non-branded medicines instead of prescribed brands, resulting in financial exploitation of consumers.

Mr. Eswaraiah further alleged that a majority of retail pharmacies operated without qualified pharmacists and frequently dispensed medicines without valid prescriptions. “In contrast, online pharmacy systems functioned under digital supervision by registered pharmacists, ensuring accountability through electronic prescriptions, digital invoices and Aadhaar-linked pharmacist authentication,” he said.

The CPI demanded that the government strengthen the Drug Control Administration and State Pharmacy Council, introduce strict digital monitoring systems and allow qualified pharmacists to establish independent community pharmacy consultation clinics under self-employment scheme.