Karnataka Drug Traders Issue Stark Warning on Online Medicine Trade and Narcotics Trafficking
In a significant address at Madikeri, Karnataka State Drug Traders' Association president R Raghunath Reddy delivered a critical warning: efforts to combat narcotic drugs and trafficking will remain largely ineffective unless the burgeoning online medicine trade is brought under stringent control. He emphasized that unregulated online channels could enable drug trafficking to expand uncontrollably across the country.
Online Platforms as a Cover for Illicit Activities
Speaking after inaugurating the newly constructed 'Pharma Bhavan' in Kodagu, Reddy highlighted a troubling trend. He stated that drug trafficking is not only expanding nationwide but is increasingly being conducted under the guise of legitimate online medicine trading. This environment creates a dual challenge: while legitimate medicine dealers face unnecessary questioning from investigative agencies, those exploiting online routes can transport medicines—including potentially illicit substances—with greater ease and less scrutiny.
Reddy urged the government to take concrete and immediate steps to curb the online medicine trade, calling for robust regulatory frameworks. He reiterated that association members are strictly instructed to avoid selling drugs or narcotics under any circumstances, underscoring their commitment to ethical practices.
Industry Figures and Operational Challenges
Providing key industry statistics, Reddy noted that Karnataka boasts approximately 26,000 medical shops and around 45,000 medicine dealers. He praised these dealers for operating with social responsibility and full compliance with rules, yet expressed deep dissatisfaction over ongoing governmental difficulties that hinder their operations. According to him, the government continues to create unnecessary hurdles for legitimate traders, even as illicit activities flourish online.
Economic Support and Societal Welfare
In a forward-looking suggestion, Reddy proposed that the Kodagu unit consider establishing a cooperative bank to support members' economic needs, fostering financial stability within the association. This move aims to empower dealers amidst regulatory pressures.
Echoing the call for responsibility, Ajay Raj Shah, assistant drug controller for Kodagu, urged the association to prioritize society's welfare in all dealings. Meanwhile, Ambekal Jeevan Kushalappa, president of the association's Kodagu unit, reframed the role of drug dealers as "health protectors" who serve as a vital bridge between doctors and patients. He emphasized that their mission is rooted in service rather than mere business, highlighting the ethical backbone of the profession.
Pharma Bhavan: A New Hub for Drug Traders
The newly inaugurated Pharma Bhavan in Kodagu includes an office and auditorium dedicated to the Kodagu District Drug Traders' Association. This facility is poised to become a central hub for meetings, training, and collaborative efforts to address the challenges outlined by Reddy, including the fight against narcotics and the regulation of online trade.
As the debate over online medicine trade intensifies, stakeholders await governmental action to balance innovation with security, ensuring that legitimate dealers are protected while illicit activities are decisively curtailed.
