Govt asked to frame policy on online sale of drugs within 8 weeks

The Delhi High Court on Thursday gave the Centre one last opportunity to formulate a policy on the online sale of drugs. While observing that sufficient time had been given to the government so that, it said that if its order was not complied within eight weeks, the concerned joint secretary will have to remain present before it on the next date of hearing.

"This court is of the view that as more than five years have lapsed, the Union of India has had sufficient time to frame the said policy. However, one last opportunity is granted to frame the policy in eight weeks," a division bench of Acting Chief Justice Manmohan and Justice Mini Pushkarna said while noting the government's stand that consultation and deliberations were still going on the 2018 draft notification relating to the online sale of drugs.

The HC was hearing a batch of petitions seeking a ban against the illegal sale of online drugs. They also challenged the draft rules by the government to amend the Drugs and Cosmetics Rules, 1945.


In 2018, the HC had passed an interim order directing the government to take action against persons engaging in the online sale of drugs without a valid licence. Thereafter, contempt petitions were also filed against the government for failing to take action against the defaulting e-pharmacies.