Online medicine trade remains uncontrolled: Drug traders’ association

Madikeri: Karnataka State Drug Traders' Association president R Raghunath Reddy said efforts to stop the use of narcotic drugs and trafficking will remain ineffective unless the online medicine trade is brought under control, warning that online channels could allow trafficking to grow uncontrollably.Speaking after inaugurating the newly built ‘Pharma Bhavan' here, Reddy said drug trafficking is expanding across the country and is increasingly carried out under the cover of online medicine trading. In this environment, legitimate medicine dealers are unnecessarily questioned by investigative agencies, while those using online routes can transport medicines more easily. He urged the govt to take concrete steps to curb the online medicine trade and reiterated that association members are strictly instructed not to sell drugs or narcotics under any circumstances.
Providing industry figures, he said Karnataka has about 26,000 medical shops and around 45,000 medicine dealers. He said dealers operate with social responsibility and comply with rules, but expressed dissatisfaction that the govt continues to create difficulties for them.He also suggested that the Kodagu unit should consider starting a cooperative bank to support members' economic needs.Ajay Raj Shah, assistant drug controller, Kodagu, asked the association to think about society's welfare.The association's Kodagu unit president Ambekal Jeevan Kushalappa described drug dealers as "health protectors" who serve as a bridge between doctors and patients, emphasising service over business.Pharma Bhavan includes an office and auditorium for the Kodagu District Drug Traders' Association.