India proposes mandatory CCTV in medical shops to regulate sale of prescription drugs

New Delhi: India plans to mandate CCTV surveillance of retail health shops to curb unauthorized sale of prescription drugs.

The measure was proposed by amending the Anti-Drug Rules, 1945 through a draft notification on September 8, the health ministry said in a statement on Thursday. The Ministry requested comments and suggestions on the proposal from stakeholders and the public.

Mint reported on this development in July last year.

The proposed amendment aims to tighten the regulatory oversight of medicines from the H, H1 and X lists to prevent their dispensing without a valid medical prescription.

The installation of CCTV systems, recommended by the Drugs Technical Advisory Board (DTAB) following discussions by the Drugs Consultative Committee (DCC), aims to increase transparency and accountability throughout the pharmaceutical supply chain while protecting public health.

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The amendment was introduced “to strengthen the regulatory oversight of medicines from the H, H1 and X list,” the Ministry of Health said on Thursday.

The department said the proposed rules address existing compliance issues at retail pharmacies.

“The proposed amendment seeks to address concerns regarding the unauthorized access to and sale of Schedule H, H1 and X drugs and recommends mandatory CCTV surveillance in medical stores as an additional regulatory safeguard,” the Department of Health said.

The department outlined expected enforcement outcomes once the rules become law.

“Once implemented, the proposed amendment is expected to help strengthen monitoring of the sale and distribution of Schedule H, H1 and X drugs and curb their unauthorized access and sale without valid prescriptions,” the Ministry of Health said.

The installation of cameras inside retail premises is intended to create a record of transactions with a prescription drugs.

“The proposed CCTV surveillance mechanism will also increase transparency and accountability across the pharmaceutical supply chain, thereby strengthening safeguards for public health,” the health ministry said.

Feedback is sought

The draft notice has been placed in the public domain for review.

“The Ministry has sought objections and suggestions from stakeholders and the public on the proposed change,” the Ministry of Health said.

Medicines from list H, H1 and X are drugs that cannot be bought over the counter and their sale is strictly regulated.

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List H medicines must be sold with a valid prescription from a registered practitioner and must bear the Rx symbol. These medications include blood pressure and diabetes medications, some antibiotics, and basic psychiatric medications.

Medicines from the H1 list fall into a stricter category of medicines. They need a prescription and chemists are required to keep records of patients, prescribers and details of the medicine for three years. These drugs include some addictive drugs and advanced antibiotics.

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Schedule X drugs include narcotics and psychotropic substances such as morphine, which can be easily abused and lead to addiction. These drugs are specially licensed and must be stored in a secure facility. Two copies of prescriptions are required to purchase these drugs, with chemists keeping a copy for two years.