The Central Consumer Protection Authority (CCPA) has issue an advisory to e-commerce platforms warning that Ayurveda, Siddha or Unani drugs should not be sold online through their platforms without a valid prescription.
E-commerce platforms have advise that the sale or facilitating the sale of such drugs shall be done only after a valid prescription of a registered Ayurveda, Siddha or Unani practitioner respectively is uploaded by the user on the platform.
Consuming such drugs without medical supervision can lead to severe health complications, the Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food & Public Distribution said in a statement.
As per Rule 161(2) of the Drugs and Cosmetics Rules, 1945, the container of a medicine for internal use for the treatment of human ailments shall, if it is made up of a substance specified in Schedule E (1), be label conspicuously with the words “Caution:
To be taken under medical supervision” both in English and Hindi language, it said.
The Ministry of Ayush issue a public notice informing stakeholders that the aforementioned drugs are require to be taken under Medical Supervision and purchasing the same online should be avoide without medical consultation.
Under Section 18 of the Consumer Protection Act, 2019, CCPA is empower to protect, promote and enforce the rights of consumers as a class, and prevent violation of consumers’ rights.
CCPA is empower to prevent unfair trade practices and ensure that no person engages himself in unfair trade practices.
CCPA consistently monitors the issues affecting consumer welfare.
As CCPA issue guidelines to prevent unfair trade practices and protection of consumer interests with regard to the levy of service charges in hotels and restaurants.
CCPA has also issue guidelines for the prevention of Misleading Advertisements and Endorsements for Misleading Advertisements to protect consumers against such advertisements, the ministry said.
To safeguard consumer rights while shopping online, CCPA has issue an Advisory to all marketplace e-commerce entities to ensure that details of sellers as mandated under sub-rule (5) of rule 6 of the Consumer Protection (E-commerce) Rules, 2020 including name and contact number of the grievance officer are provide in a clear and accessible manner, display prominently to users on the platform.
CCPA has also issue Safety Notices under Section 18(2)(j) of the Act to alert and caution consumers against buying goods which do not hold a valid ISI Mark and violate compulsory BIS standards.
While the first Safety Notice was issue with regard to Helmets, Pressure Cookers and Cooking gas cylinders, the second Safety Notice was issue with regard to household goods including electric immersion water heaters, sewing machines, microwave ovens and domestic gas stoves with LPG.
