Promotion of e-pharmacies on Aarogya Setu criticised

Tribune News Service
Amritsar, May 18

Punjab Chemist Association affiliated to the All-India Organisation of Chemists and Druggists (AIOCD) has strongly opposed the advertisement of e-pharmaceutical firms on Aarogya Setu mobile app being promoted by the government.

It pleaded that a website www.aarogyasetumitr.in, linked to the official mobile application Aarogya Setu in ‘illegal, arbitrary and discriminatory’ manner, promotes and act as a marketing tool for e-pharmacies only.

PCA president Surinder Duggal, in a letter to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, recently said there was no mention in the website that these medicines could be procured from local chemists. Releasing the letter to the media here on Monday, he said this was misleading and gives an impression that medicines used in the treatment of Covid-19 in India were available only through e-pharmacies.

He alleged that several e-pharmacies were operating illegally and in violation of provisions of the Drugs and Cosmetics Act. He said a number of petitions were pending in the court against operating of these pharmacies already.

He said during these testing times, chemists all over the countries ensured the delivery of medicines on the doorstep. He said there was absolutely no basis for using government-owned platform for promoting private ventures.

The association urged the PM to take steps for immediately closing down the website. Aarogya Setu application uses Bluetooth and GPS for alerting users from those who encountered people who were tested positive of the deadly virus. Duggal urged Punjab Chief Minister Capt Amarinder Singh to intervene in the matter.