1 day ago
India Proposes CCTV Checks for Prescription Drug Stores
India’s Health Ministry wants pharmacies to install CCTV cameras.
The cameras would monitor the sale of certain prescription medicines.
These medicines are called Schedule H, H1 and X drugs.
The plan is meant to stop people from buying them without a valid prescription.
It could also make pharmacies and medicine suppliers more accountable.
Two government drug groups reviewed the idea, and one recommended approving it.
The ministry is asking the public and organisations to send comments before the plan becomes a rule.
Separately, some cold-medicine combinations have been restricted for children younger than four.
Their packaging must warn that children under four should not use them.
India’s Health Ministry proposed mandatory CCTV cameras at medical stores selling Schedule H, H1 and X drugs.
The draft amendment to the Drugs Rules, 1945, aims to prevent sales without valid prescriptions and unauthorised access.
The Drugs Consultative Committee reviewed the proposal, and the Drugs Technical Advisory Board recommended approval.
The ministry said CCTV footage could improve monitoring, transparency and accountability across the pharmaceutical supply chain.
Separately, the government restricted certain chlorpheniramine-phenylephrine combinations for children under four and required warning labels.
- Who
- India’s Union Health Ministry, the Drugs Consultative Committee and the Drugs Technical Advisory Board are involved.
- What
- The Health Ministry proposed amending the Drugs Rules, 1945, to require CCTV surveillance at medical stores selling Schedule H, H1 and X drugs.
- Where
- The proposed CCTV requirement applies to medical stores in India.
- When
- The draft Gazette notification was dated September 8, and the proposal was reported on September 17. The separate child-medicine restriction took effect upon publication in the Official Gazette.
- Why
- The measures are intended to prevent unauthorised access and sales without valid prescriptions, improve supply-chain accountability and protect public health.
Key facts
- Rules affected
- Drugs Rules, 1945
- Drug categories
- Schedule H, H1 and X drugs
- Proposed safeguard
- Mandatory CCTV surveillance at medical stores
- Review process
- The Drugs Consultative Committee deliberated on the proposal, after which the Drugs Technical Advisory Board recommended approval.
- Public consultation
- The ministry invited objections and suggestions from stakeholders and members of the public.
- Separate restriction
- Fixed-dose combinations containing Chlorpheniramine Maleate and Phenylephrine Hydrochloride were restricted for children below four.
- Required warning
- Labels, package inserts and promotional literature must state that the combination must not be used in children below four.
Quotes
India’s health ministry
India’s health ministry, which issued the statement on the draft amendment.
“The proposed amendment seeks to address concerns relating to unauthorized access to and sale of Schedule H, H1 and X drugs and recommends mandatory CCTV surveillance at medical stores as an additional regulatory safeguard.”
livemint.com
“Upon implementation, 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.”
livemint.com
Sources
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