Health
Government Likely to Continue Doorstep Medicine Delivery With Stricter Oversight
The central government appears set to retain rules permitting pharmacies to deliver certain medicines directly to patients' homes through both online and offline channels, after an expert sub-committee warned that scrapping the provision could harm vulnerable populations, according to two government officials and documents reviewed by Mint.
The sub-committee, formed under the Drugs Technical Advisory Board (DTAB), examined concerns that the existing notification allowing doorstep delivery was being exploited by digital platforms, including Swiggy, to sell medicines without valid prescriptions. Rule 65 governs the sale of drugs and specifies prescription requirements for certain categories of medicine.
The issue was first taken up by DTAB in April 2025, leading to the formation of a seven-member sub-committee in July 2025, chaired by Dr Anupam Prakash, director, professor and head of the department of medicine at Lady Hardinge Medical College, Delhi.
In its report submitted in May 2026, the sub-committee recommended against withdrawing the notification, stating that doing so was "not advisable" since it could adversely affect patients in rural and remote regions, as well as elderly individuals and those managing chronic illnesses who rely on home delivery services.
According to a government document reviewed by Mint, the committee also recommended stronger enforcement of the notification to prevent irregular medicine sales via online platforms, ensure no drugs are dispensed without valid prescriptions, and confirm that all procedures under GSR 220(E) are properly followed.
Online pharmacy representatives welcomed the development. Dr Rajeev Sharma, vice president of Tata 1MG, said digital healthcare helps bridge access gaps for elderly patients, those with chronic conditions, and people living alone in both urban and rural areas. He emphasized that compliance and patient safety remain non-negotiable regardless of whether a transaction is online or offline, noting that organized e-pharmacies already follow strict standards such as the FICCI code of conduct, and that the upcoming Drugs and Cosmetics Act would further strengthen regulation of digital drug delivery.
However, the All India Organisation of Chemists and Druggists (AIOCD) strongly opposed continuation of the notification, arguing it is being widely misused and should be withdrawn immediately in the public interest. Rajiv Singhal, general secretary of AIOCD, said the association had submitted evidence showing online platforms dispensing up to five conflicting antibiotics and restricted drugs such as abortion pills based on sham prescriptions issued after brief phone calls. He warned that this practice poses serious health risks, including potential long-term organ damage, and called on regulators to act against such violations.
Queries sent to the health ministry, the Drugs Controller General of India, Swiggy Instamart, Apollo Pharmacy, and PharmEasy went unanswered at the time of publication.
Medical professionals highlighted the importance of doorstep delivery for continuity of care. Dr Aashish Chaudhry, managing director at Aakash Healthcare in New Delhi, said the service is a valuable extension of healthcare access, particularly for elderly and chronically ill patients whose caregivers often juggle multiple responsibilities. He stressed, however, that continuing the service requires strict safeguards, including dispensing medicines only through authorized channels with valid prescriptions, proper storage and handling, and stronger enforcement to prevent misuse and illegal online sales.