Srinagar, Feb 07 (KNS): Doctors Association Kashmir (DAK) Sunday pitched for online pharmacies in Kashmir Valley, saying that the facility would provide a convenient tool for consumers to procure medicine.
Terming it as consumer empowerment, President DAK Dr Nisar ul Hassan in a statement to KNS said that online pharmacies would provide an opportunity for patients to order any medicine from the comfort and privacy of home.
Dr Nisar said that with full tracking systems and solid technology-backed, counterfeit medicines can be traced back to the manufacturer or supplier, thus making the market more transparent and ensuring authenticity which would effectively reduce the problem of drug abuse and self-medication.
“The technology would enable patients to buy medicines easily and would prevent them from wandering around for drugs. This would be of great help to senior citizens or consumers who cannot go out on their own to purchase medicines,” he said.Click Here To Follow Our WhatsApp Channel
He said drug stores require you to drive to the store to pick up your medicines while an online pharmacy allows you to shop for medicines anytime in day or night.
“Though pharma act has no clarity on electronic copy of a prescription, but IT act says that any digital copy of a document is valid, if there is an original copy which can be presented at the time of verification.”
He said medicines can be sold only by a registered pharmacy and it is mandatory to have the prescription for the medicine.
“Indian laws related to pharmacies were written prior to arrival of computer, let alone internet. While in rest of the world patients avails benefits of this technology, we are still falling behind. With more consumers willing to buy medicines online, the timing is right for online pharmacies.” (KNS)