PharmEasy refutes claims of Maharashtra drug watchdog (Lead, correcting watchdog's name)

PharmEasy, a digital platform connecting consumers with pharmacies, on Tuesday said the Maharashtra Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has misinterpreted its business model on online sales due to lack of information.

"It has been alleged by the (Maharashtra) FDA that the company sells prescription drugs online. PharmEasy seeks to place on record that it operates within the four corners of the law and no aspect of its service model breaches any of FDA's rules and regulations," the company said in a statement.

"PharmEasy seeks to issue this clarification to protect its brand image and dispel any false notions being spread about the legality of its operations," it said.

Maharashtra FDA also lodged a police complaint against PharmEasy. "The police has investigated the matter and came to the conclusion that there is no violation of the FDA's rules and regulations, vindicating PharmEasy's stand about legality of their operations."

A start-up launched in March 2015 to focus on customer convenience and cost-effectiveness, PharmEasy said it neither works as a competitor to chemists, nor does it sell any drug online.

"Instead it works along with the offline retail chemists by connecting customers to them. By generating volumes in terms of orders, such chemists are able to pass on discounts to consumers," it said.

"Moreover, the sales are effected by the offline retail pharmacies on PharmEasy's platform only on submission of a valid prescription by the consumers."

--IANS

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