The Uttar Pradesh Food Safety and Drug Administration (UP FSDA) has mandated public websites for retail and hospital-attached pharmacies across the state, prompting concerns among chemists over implementation costs, technical requirements and regular inventory updates. The Uttar Pradesh Chemists and Druggists Association (UPCDA) is preparing to approach the state government seeking withdrawal or modification of the directive.
According to the circular issued by FSDA Commissioner Dr. Roshan Jacob, numbered FSDA/OC/2026-27/3208, pharmacies are required to publish key information, including valid drug licence numbers, registered pharmacist details, premises addresses and weekly stock updates.
The directive also requires hospital pharmacies to disclose procurement prices alongside selling prices, following inspections that reportedly identified significant differences between medicine procurement rates and maximum retail prices (MRPs).
To facilitate public access, the websites are expected to be accessible through pharmacy counter signage, mobile applications or QR codes. The enforcement of the website-related requirements is scheduled to begin on November 1, 2026.
However, the mandate has raised concerns among small and rural chemists, who say that establishing and maintaining websites and regularly uploading stock information would require additional expenditure, technical support and manpower.
Speaking to Pharmabiz, Uday Gupta, executive committee member of UPCDA, said that implementing and maintaining public websites would be difficult for a large number of retailers, particularly small-town and rural operators working with limited margins.
In response, UPCDA office-bearers are preparing a formal representation to senior state government officials, seeking withdrawal of the circular or amendments that would make compliance more practical for small businesses.
Separately, the FSDA directive lifted the moratorium on issuing new wholesale drug licences with effect from October 11, 2026, citing trade-related considerations ahead of the festive season.
The association’s immediate concern, however, remains the website mandate and the need for a workable compliance framework for retail chemists across Uttar Pradesh.