Medicine Delivery: Convenience or Crisis?

Quick commerce platforms are expanding into prescription medicine delivery, offering integrated doctor consultations and rapid delivery services in select cities. This trend, while promising convenience for busy individuals, is raising alarms within the medical community regarding potential overprescription of antibiotics and symptom-focused treatments. India already faces a severe antibiotic resistance crisis, with a high percentage of prescriptions deemed unnecessary, a problem potentially worsened by the speed and accessibility of online pharmacies.

The ease of obtaining medicines online bypasses crucial clinical considerations and patient counseling, which are vital for managing chronic conditions and preventing the misuse of antibiotics. Patients themselves contribute by viewing antibiotics as quick fixes and often failing to complete prescribed courses, further fueling antimicrobial resistance. This burgeoning e-pharmacy sector currently operates within a regulatory vacuum, leaving patients vulnerable to counterfeit drugs and uncontrolled access to habit-forming substances.

While telemedicine and e-pharmacies offer benefits like improved accessibility and price transparency, their growth must be matched by stringent regulatory frameworks. A clear legal structure is essential to ensure that these platforms prioritize patient safety, ethical prescribing, and professional accountability. Without such measures, the convenience offered by these services risks undermining public health and professional medical standards.