BDCDA Flags Unregulated Online Pharmacies for Misleading Ads, Urges CCI Action

The Bangalore District Druggists and Chemists Association (BDCDA) has urged the Competition Commission of India (CCI) to act against anti-competitive and non-compliant medicine ads run by unregulated online pharmacies. Citing campaigns by platforms like Medplus via Facebook, WhatsApp, and mobile apps, BDCDA warns that aggressive marketing undermines public health, promotes self-medication, and bypasses licensed pharmacists.

These ads, often emotionally manipulative, threaten the integrity of India's regulated drug ecosystem, potentially fueling antimicrobial resistance and counterfeit drug circulation. Brick-and-mortar pharmacies, which follow strict prescription protocols, are disadvantaged in this unregulated digital environment.

BDCDA has launched a national initiative, War Against Counterfeit Medicines, emphasizing its commitment to ethical dispensing and safeguarding patient safety. The group calls for urgent oversight of digital platforms promoting drugs without professional or regulatory control.

09-07-2025