Karnataka FDA Seizes Medicines from Amazon Facilities

Karnataka's Food Safety and Drug Administration (FDA) department has seized medicines from two storage facilities associated with Amazon Seller Services Pvt Ltd. The department alleges that the premises were storing drugs without a valid license, a violation of India's Drugs and Cosmetics Act.

The seizures occurred at facilities in Thattanahalli and the aerospace park area of Devanahalli. Stock worth approximately Rs 2.45 lakh was confiscated from Thattanahalli, and Rs 1.57 lakh from Devanahalli, totaling over Rs 4 lakh. Officials reportedly found no documentation authorizing the storage of medicines at either location.

In India, storing medicines for wholesale distribution requires a specific license from the state licensing authority. Failure to obtain such a license can result in imprisonment and fines. Amazon has not yet issued a public statement regarding the seizures.

The incident raises questions about the regulatory responsibilities of e-commerce platforms concerning the physical storage of regulated goods. While Amazon's Indian operations are structured as a marketplace model, acting as an intermediary, the legal implications of physical custody of goods are now under scrutiny.