Advisory issued to e-commerce platforms on sale of Ayurvedic, Unani drugs

Stressing that consumption of medicines without medical supervision can lead to severe health complications, the Central Consumer Protection Authority (CCPA) has issued an advisory to e-commerce entities regarding the sale of Ayurvedic, Siddha and Unani drugs.

The advisory has been issued for ayurvedic, siddha and unani drugs containing ingredients listed in Schedule E (1) of the Drugs and Cosmetics Rules, 1945.

The E-commerce platforms have been advised that the sale or facilitating the sale of such drugs shall be done only after a valid prescription of a registered Ayurveda, Siddha or Unani practitioner respectively is uploaded by the user on the platform.

Details:

Rule 161(2) of the Drugs and Cosmetics Rules, 1945

The container of a medicine for internal use for the treatment of human ailments shall, if it is made up of a substance specified in Schedule E (1), be labelled conspicuously with the words “Caution: To be taken under medical supervision” both in English and Hindi language.

As per a PIB release, the Ministry of Ayush had issued a public notice on 01.02.2016 informing stakeholders that the aforementioned drugs are required to be taken under Medical Supervision and purchasing the same online should be avoided without medical consultation.