A government sub-committee has recommended retaining the doorstep medicine delivery notification 2020, despite objections from The All-India Organisation of Chemists and Druggists (AIOCD), which argued the rule was being misused by digital platforms for delivering medicines without proper prescription checks.
The sub-committee submitted its report in May and recommended that withdrawal of the notification is “not advisable,” observing that the notification continues to serve a critical purpose, particularly for patients in rural and remote areas, elderly individuals, and those managing chronic conditions.
The All-India Organisation of Chemists and Druggists (AIOCD) had raised concerns that the 2020 notification may bypass Rule 65(e) of the Drugs Rules, 1945, regarding the sale of drugs on original prescriptions, and alleged misuse by certain digital platforms including Swiggy.
Rather than scrapping the notification, the sub-committee recommended stricter and more effective implementation of its existing provisions. The government sub-committee recommends enforcing stricter prescription checks and platform compliance while retaining the doorstep delivery rule.
The doorstep delivery notification was initially issued in March 2020 during the COVID-19 lockdown as an emergency measure to ensure uninterrupted medication access. The matter was first deliberated in April 2025 by the Drugs Technical Advisory Board, which recommended constituting a sub-committee to examine it in detail.
The decision balances patient accessibility with regulatory concerns, ensuring that vulnerable populations continue accessing medicines while implementing enhanced prescription verification and compliance measures.
“The sub-committee members are not in favour of withdrawal of GSR 220(E), because its withdrawal will adversely impact rural and remote areas and also adversely impact senior citizens, nuclear households, single parents and patients with chronic ailments,” panel said. “Committee has suggested notification should be effectively implemented to ensure irregular sale of medicines is prevented through online platform, no sale occurs without valid prescription and all procedures mentioned in GSR 220(E) are followed.”
Written by: Pramit Hazra
Graphics by: Pramit Hazra
