Govt asks e-commerce platforms to sell Ayurvedic, Siddha and Unani drugs only after valid prescription

New Delhi, July 14

The Centre has directed e-commerce platforms to sell Ayurvedic, Siddha and Unani drugs only after a valid prescription of a registered Ayurveda, Siddha or Unani practitioner.

According to an advisory issued by the Central Consumer Protection Authority (CCPA) concerning the sale of Ayurvedic, Siddha and Unani drugs containing ingredients listed in Schedule E (1) of the Drugs and Cosmetics Rules, 1945, e-commerce platforms have been advised that the sale or facilitating the sale of such drugs will be done only after a valid prescription of a registered Ayurveda, Siddha or Unani practitioner, respectively, is uploaded by the user on the platform, according to an official statement.

Consuming such drugs without medical supervision can lead to severe health complications, it added.

As per 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 words “Caution: To be taken under medical supervision” both in English and Hindi language.

The Ministry of Ayush issued a public notice in February 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, according to officials.