In a concerning trend that is raising red flags in the medical community, quick-commerce (Q-commerce) applications in India are reportedly facilitating the delivery of prescription-only antibiotics within minutes, often bypassing rigorous medical oversight. The practice involves online consultations with doctors hired by third-party agencies, who are found to be prescribing potent antibiotics for minor ailments like the common cold.
The Mechanism of Instant Prescriptions
The model is straightforward yet alarming. Customers using these platforms can connect with a doctor through a digital consultation feature, which is often outsourced to agencies. These third-party agency doctors, after a brief virtual interaction, frequently prescribe antibiotics. Following this, the apps leverage their rapid delivery networks to get the medication to the customer's doorstep in as little as ten minutes. This convenience, while appealing to users seeking quick relief, completely sidesteps the critical in-person evaluation typically required for such prescriptions.
Medical Community Voices Deep Concern
Healthcare professionals are sounding the alarm over this dangerous precedent. Prescribing antibiotics for viral infections like the common cold is medically inappropriate and contributes directly to the global crisis of antimicrobial resistance (AMR). Amullya Shivashankar highlighted these issues in a report dated 24 December 2025. Doctors argue that the brevity of these online consultations and the lack of physical examination make it impossible to accurately diagnose bacterial infections, which are the only valid reason for antibiotic use. The ease of access promotes misuse, making powerful drugs seem like casual remedies for everyday sickness.
Public Health Implications and The Road Ahead
The long-term consequences of this trend could be severe for public health in India. Indiscriminate antibiotic use accelerates the development of superbugs—bacteria resistant to multiple drugs—rendering common infections harder and more expensive to treat. This undermines decades of medical progress. The situation calls for urgent scrutiny from regulators regarding the ethical practices of telemedicine platforms and their partnerships. There is a pressing need to enforce stricter guidelines for online prescriptions, especially for controlled medications like antibiotics, to balance technological convenience with responsible healthcare.
The report originating from Bengaluru, Karnataka, underscores a nationwide issue brewing at the intersection of technology, commerce, and healthcare. As these apps continue to grow in popularity, the medical fraternity urges both consumers and policymakers to prioritize safety over speed, ensuring that the pursuit of instant gratification does not compromise the nation's health security.
