India Plans Stronger Oversight of Prescription Drug Sales Through CCTV

New Delhi, Sep 19 : The Union Health Ministry has proposed tighter monitoring of prescription medicine sales through mandatory CCTV surveillance at retail medical stores.
The proposal is part of a draft amendment to the Drugs Rules, 1945, aimed at strengthening oversight of medicines covered under Schedules H, H1 and X. These categories include several prescription medicines, certain antibiotics, anti-tuberculosis drugs and psychotropic medicines.
Under the proposed changes, pharmacies supplying prescription medicines would be required to operate CCTV systems at their licensed premises. The recordings would have to be preserved for at least three months, allowing authorities to review transactions when concerns regarding unauthorised sales or regulatory violations arise.
The ministry said the measure is intended to address concerns surrounding the unauthorised access and distribution of regulated medicines. The proposed surveillance would provide an additional mechanism for regulators to verify how prescription drugs are supplied to consumers.
The requirement is focused on retail supply and would not apply to wholesale drug dealers, according to the draft proposal.
The ministry has also invited stakeholders to submit their comments on the proposed amendment within 30 days. The move comes as authorities continue efforts to promote responsible medicine use and strengthen controls over drugs that require medical supervision.
The proposal, once finalised, could introduce additional compliance responsibilities for retail pharmacies while giving regulators greater visibility into the sale of medicines covered by stricter prescription rules.