Centre must protect data of e-pharmacy consumers

Hyderabad: The government must guarantee the safekeep pf the data relating to consumers, who buy drugs on online pharmacies, says the Internet and Mobile Association of India (IAMAI). This is being insisted upon as the government in the draft guidelines of e-pharmacy has stated that the data collected by e-pharmacy firms would be used to assess the health of different states. This has raised a major concern whether the names of consumers will be protected or not. The e-pharmacy association and the IAMAI have come together to demand that customer information has to be protected and that the names must not be revealed.

The draft rules of e-pharmacy state that these models have to be created in a manner where the tracking and traceability of medicines, abuse prevention, addressing consumption of drugs without prescription can be addressed. 

The model is expected to increase entrepreneurship opportunities and also allow consumers better access to a range of medicinal products at a better price.

The IAMAI is also seeking a differentiation between the retailers and wholesalers and also demand an e-commerce platform for the e-pharmacy so that it will be consistent with the existing FDI policy.