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AI-Generated Fake Prescriptions Fuel Illegal Drug Sales, Warn Chemists

The All India Organisation of Chemists and Druggists has raised a serious alarm over the misuse of Artificial Intelligence to fabricate medical prescriptions. These fake documents are enabling the illegal online sale of controlled medicines, including antibiotics and psychotropic drugs. The organization blames certain government notifications for allowing online platforms to bypass crucial safeguards under the Drugs and Cosmetics Act. AIOCD has urgently called on the government to withdraw these notifications, shut down illegal e-pharmacies, and declare all AI-generated prescriptions invalid to protect public health from the dual threats of drug abuse and antimicrobial resistance.

Key Points: AI Fake Prescriptions Threaten Public Health: AIOCD Alert

  • AI misuse creates fake medical prescriptions
  • Illegal online sale of antibiotics and psychotropic drugs
  • Online platforms lack human verification
  • Urgent call to shut illegal e-pharmacies
  • Contributes to Antimicrobial Resistance crisis
2 min read

AI-generated fake prescriptions pose serious public health threat: AIOCD

AIOCD warns of AI-generated fake prescriptions enabling illegal online sales of antibiotics and psychotropic drugs, urging government action.

"AI-generated prescriptions with fabricated hospital details are being accepted by certain online platforms. - AIOCD"

New Delhi, February 17

All India Organisation of Chemists and Druggists has raised serious concerns over the growing misuse of Artificial Intelligence to create fake medical prescriptions, enabling the illegal online sale of antibiotics, psychotropic drugs, opioids, and Schedule H and X medicines.

AIOCD President J S Shinde and General Secretary Rajiv Singhal informed that in a recent media investigation, including reports in a renowned newspaper, which have revealed that AI-generated prescriptions with fabricated hospital details are being accepted by certain online platforms.

AIOCD states that illegal e-pharmacies are misusing Government Notifications GSR 817(E) and GSR 220(E) to bypass safeguards under the Drugs and Cosmetics Act,1940.

Unlike offline chemists, online platforms lack effective human verification, making it nearly impossible to detect AI-generated fake prescriptions.

AIOCD has urged the Government to immediately withdraw GSR 817(E) and GSR 220(E), shut down illegal e-pharmacies, and declare AI-generated prescriptions invalid nationwide in order to safeguard public health.

Earlier last month, the All India Organisation of Chemists and Druggists (AIOCD) has urged Prime Minister Narendra Modi to take immediate action against illegally operating e-pharmacies.

The organisation raised concerns over the unchecked sale of antibiotics without valid prescriptions, adding that they accelerate Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR), posing a grave threat to public health.

Referring to the Prime Minister's recent 'Mann Ki Baat' address, in which he emphasised the need to check upon the unchecked sale of antibiotics, AIOCD said that ICMR findings underline a national health emergency where commonly used antibiotics for pneumonia and urinary tract infections are becoming ineffective due to indiscriminate use and self-medication.

- ANI

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Reader Comments

P
Priya S
While the concern is valid, we can't just shut down all e-pharmacies. For many in tier-2 and tier-3 cities, they are a lifeline for genuine medicines. The solution is better verification tech, not a blanket ban. Let's not throw the baby out with the bathwater.
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Aman W
Antimicrobial Resistance is a silent pandemic. My uncle was treated for a UTI and the basic antibiotics didn't work at all. Doctors said it's because of overuse. If AI prescriptions make it worse, we are in deep trouble. Kudos to AIOCD for raising this.
S
Sarah B
The tech is advancing faster than our laws can keep up. We need a digital prescription system linked to Aadhaar or a verified doctor's ID, something that can't be easily faked. Relying on a scanned piece of paper (or a fake AI one) is so outdated.
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Vikram M
Offline chemists have to bear the brunt of strict rules while these online platforms operate in a grey area. It's not a level playing field. The government notifications need a review, but a complete withdrawal might be too harsh. A balanced approach is needed.
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Nisha Z
This is scary! What about all the Schedule X drugs? This isn't just about health, it's about national security if psychotropic drugs are so easily available. Hope the PMO takes note after the Mann Ki Baat mention. Jai Hind.

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