The Madras HC has suspended its interim order banning online sale of medicines until the Union Government releases rules governing e-pharmacies. NetMeds founder and CEO Pradeep Dhadha told MediaNama, "The ruling validates our commitment of providing affordable and accessible medicines to customers across the country. As a fully licensed pharmacy, Netmeds is committed to adhering to all the guidelines and standards as prescribed under the Drugs and Cosmetic Act of 1940." Madras HC's interim ban on e-pharmacies On December 17, the Madras High Court ordered an interim ban on the sale of medicines by e-pharmacies in a writ petition filed by the Tamil Nadu Chemists' and Druggists Association (TNCDA), reasoning that e-pharmacies were operating without any regulation. The court said that "Central Government had already been given a longer rope" in December 2016, stating that two years have passed and the rules are still in the draft stage. The court demanded that the Union Government and the apex drugs regulator Central Drugs Standards Control Organization (CDSCO) notify rules for the online sale of medicines at the earliest and no later than January 31, 2019. The court further stated that e-pharmacies have to obtain licenses within 2 months of the new rules being passed. Until the rules are notified, e-pharmacies have been banned from proceeding with online sale of drugs and cosmetics. The Madras HC's order came just days after the Delhi HC ordered a country-wide ban on the sale of drugs online, in response to a petition filed by Delhi-based dermatologist…
