Update on January 7: What the e-pharmacies appealed Practo claimed that it ensures that sale and purchase records of medicines are stored, and Schedule H and H1 drugs are not sold without valid prescriptions Pharmeasy said that it acts as an intermediary to connect customers with registered retail pharmacies; that it does not stock, sell or distribute any drugs, but merely provides delivery services. The e-pharmacy further said that it does not allow the sale of Schedule X drugs even when a customer holds a valid prescription, and that 25 licensed pharmacies are currently empaneled with Pharmeasy. 1MG said that it is merely a technology platform connecting customers to retail pharmacies, and further asserted that the current law under the Drugs & Cosmetics Act and the Drugs and Cosmetics Rules, or the draft rules for online pharmacies do not prohibit online sale of medicines. Medlife said that its business is legal and operates with licenses. It has 400 pharmacies empaneled under it, with whom it undertakes retail or wholesale business. All sales on Medlife are conducted after receiving a prescription from a registered doctor. NetMeds asserted that it holds all licenses for retail and wholesale trade. Earlier on January 4: The Madras HC, on January 2, has stayed an earlier order which banned the online sale of medicines until further notice, saying that patients would be affected if sales were banned suddenly. A division bench of Justice M Sathyanarayanan and Justice P Rajamanickam granted the interim stay Why Madras HC…
