The Centre is seeking legal opinion on a draft regulation that seeks to slap restrictions on the operation of e-pharmacies.

The ministry of chemicals and fertilisers has drawn up the draft rules that are aimed at stopping the e-pharmacies from selling medicines online, a news channel said. The government has been concerned about the potential risks arising from a data leak of health records and the misuse of online pharmacies.

The Tatas and Reliance Industries are two of the prominent conglomerates that are backing online pharmacies and could be affected if the regulations are implemented.

In 2021, Tata Digital, which houses the group’s digital assets, had announced the acquisition of a majority stake in 1MG. Last September, reports suggested that an internal funding round led by Tata Digital had valued the company at over $ 1 billion.

Earlier this month, the Delhi High Court had asked the Centre to file a status report on petitions seeking a ban on the “illegal” sale of drugs online.

The matter will now be heard on May 22 after the Centre’s counsel said a proposal to regulate e-pharmacies was under consideration and some more time was needed.

The court has been hearing petitions seeking a ban on the “illegal” sale of drugs online and challenging the draft rules published by the ministry of health and family welfare to further amend the Drugs and Cosmetics Rules.

According to a PTI report, the petitioner association, South Chemists and Distributors Association, which challenged the ministry’s August 2018 notification, said the draft rules were being pushed through in serious violation of the law, ignoring the health hazards caused due to sale of medicines online without proper regulations.

The petitioner, Zaheer Ahmed, had sought contempt action against the e-pharmacies for continuing to sell drugs online despite a HC order staying such activity.

Fear factor

■ Centre wary of “illegal” sale of drugs online

■ Concern over data leak of health records

■ Online sales may cause health hazards