FIR filed against Snapdeal CEO, directors

In April, Snapdeal had said it was delisting the drugs from its portal and was assisting the regulator in the investigation

Maharashtra's Food and Drugs Administration (FDA) on Friday said it has ordered filing of FIR against e-commerce major Snapdeal.com's CEO Kunal Bahl and directors of the company in a case related to alleged online sale of medicines, including prescription drugs.

FDA commissioner Harshadeep Kamble told reporters in Mumbai that filing of an FIR has been ordered against Bahl as well as directors of Snapdeal.

When contacted, the company spokesperson did not offer any immediate comment.

Kamble said the drugs involved contained Sildenafil cirate tablets, which are to be sold by retail on the prescription of urologist, psychiatrist, endocrinologist, venerologist and dermatologist. He further added that drugs are not only to be prescribed by the registered medical practitioner but they are to be taken with caution as indiscriminate use may lead to harmful effects.

FDA had raided Sanapdeal's office in north Mumbai on April 16. FIR has been registered under the provisions of the Drugs and Cosmetics Act, 1940 and Drugs and Magic Remedies (Objectionable Advertisements) Act, 1954. The offences under which the FIR has been registered are of cognizable and non bailable in nature.

At that time, Snapdeal had said it was delisting the drugs from its portal and was assisting the regulator in the investigation.

According to Kamble, despite written commitment to FDA it was found that Snapdeal continued to offer, exhibit for sale and sale of drugs including I-pill and unwanted 72, emergency contraceptive drugs through their website.

FDA had earlier issued a notice to the company and it was asked to furnish details of the drugs offered for sale, distribution and exhibited for sale on its website Snapdeal.com.

As per the law, only a licensed retailer can sell drugs, and that too on the basis of prescription of a doctor, Kamble said, adding such type of online sale of drugs is not allowed as self medication can be harmful.

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