Chemists’ Association Urges Action Against Startups for Medicine Tampering, Repacking

Fast Summary:

• The bangalore District Chemists and Druggists Association (BDCDA) has written to the Drug Controller General of India (DCGI) demanding urgent regulatory action against two health-tech startups for alleged unauthorized tampering and repackaging of statutory medicine strips.
• BDCDA claims these practices violate the drugs and Cosmetics Act, 1940, and Rules, 1945, threatening patient safety and undermining ethical pharmacy standards.
• Specific violations include:

– Removal or destruction of statutory labels such as batch numbers, expiry dates, MRP, and mandatory warnings (as per Rule 96 and Rule 97).
– Compromise in medicine stability and therapeutic efficacy due to improper handling under Schedule P1.
– Repacking conducted in unlicensed environments violating Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP) & Good Storage Practices (GSP).

• The association stated that these practices mislead consumers by being promoted as “tech-enabled innovations” while eroding public trust in pharmacies.
• BDCDA also highlighted issues with the unchecked sale of medicines via online platforms lacking a legal regulatory framework.

Indian Opinion Analysis:

The allegations raised by the BDCDA underscore critical concerns about ensuring consumer safety within India’s healthcare ecosystem. regulatory violations such as tampering with packaging undermine transparency essential for patient trust.Accurate labelling safeguards are vital not only for compliance but also to prevent misuse or adverse health outcomes stemming from misinformation on expiration dates or dosages.

Furthermore,this controversy raises questions regarding evolving business models in health-tech startups that intersect traditional pharmaceutical practices. While innovation is critically important to improve healthcare accessibility, it must coexist with robust accountability mechanisms that prioritize public safety. The lack of proper oversight over online medicine sales could exacerbate risks if left unchecked.Demanding stricter enforcement of existing laws highlights India’s challenge in balancing technological advancements with well-defined statutory protections. Resolving this issue will require collaboration between regulators,pharmacy associations,startups,and consumers alike to uphold integrity without stifling innovation.

read more at The Hindu.