AI-generated fake prescriptions enable illegal online drug sales in India
AI platforms are reportedly being used to generate fake medical prescriptions, which unregulated e-pharmacy platforms in India accept to sell restricted and banned medicines online. Industry body AIOCD warned this practice poses a grave public health threat by enabling unauthorized access to controlled drugs and increasing risks of antimicrobial resistance.
What happened
AI platforms are being used to generate fake medical prescriptions with fabricated hospital names and details, according to a Times of India investigation cited by the All India Organisation of Chemists and Druggists (AIOCD).
Unregulated e-pharmacy platforms are reportedly accepting these AI-generated prescriptions to enable the unlawful online sale of antibiotics, opioids, Schedule H and Schedule X medicines, and banned drugs, bypassing prescription verification safeguards.
Reported impact
The AIOCD warned that the practice poses a 'grave threat to public health' and specifically risks antimicrobial resistance and misuse of psychotropic drugs.
Unlike offline pharmacies which maintain human oversight through physical verification and patient interaction, online platforms make it 'practically impossible' to differentiate between genuine and AI-generated fake prescriptions.
Index analysis
The scheme exploits regulatory loopholes in GSR 817(E) and GSR 220(E) notifications under the Drugs and Cosmetics Act, which govern online sale and home delivery of medicines but lack effective prescription verification mechanisms for e-pharmacy platforms.
Governance controls
The AIOCD urged the Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation to immediately withdraw the GSR notifications, shut down illegal e-pharmacy platforms by blocking their websites and digital payment gateways, and prohibit the use of AI or digital tools for generating medical prescriptions.
Classification
Sources and evidence
Sources not yet published
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