New Delhi, October 9, 2026 (Yes Punjab News)
The Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare has proposed stricter controls on the advertising of prescription medicines, seeking to extend existing restrictions beyond pharmaceutical manufacturers to pharmacies, wholesalers and other licensed drug sellers.
Under the draft amendment to the Drugs Rules, 1945, advertisements for medicines listed under Schedules H, H1 and X would require prior approval from the Central Government before they could be promoted.
The ministry has proposed inserting a new sub-rule (22) under Rule 65 to widen the scope of the existing regulations. The proposed provision would cover entities licensed to sell, stock, exhibit, offer for sale or distribute medicines, bringing retail medical stores and wholesale drug dealers within the ambit of advertising controls.
At present, the restrictions primarily apply to pharmaceutical companies manufacturing these medicines.
The proposed changes aim to strengthen oversight across the pharmaceutical supply chain and prevent the unauthorised promotion of prescription drugs. Officials believe tighter controls could help reduce self-medication and ensure that medicines requiring professional medical supervision are not marketed directly to consumers without adequate safeguards.
Schedules H, H1 and X cover medicines that can be dispensed only against a valid prescription, including several antibiotics, psychotropic substances and other drugs requiring regulated access. Schedule H alone covers more than 500 medicines commonly used in medical treatment.
The draft amendment follows recommendations made at the 93rd meeting of the Drugs Technical Advisory Board (DTAB), held in February this year. The board had discussed the need for explicit legal provisions to regulate advertisements by licence holders involved in the sale and distribution of medicines, in addition to manufacturers.
The ministry has invited stakeholders and members of the public to submit objections and suggestions within 30 days from the date copies of the Gazette notification containing the draft rules are made available.
The proposal comes amid wider efforts to tighten controls on prescription medicines. Last month, the ministry proposed making CCTV surveillance mandatory at all medical stores, with recordings to be preserved for at least three months. The measure is intended to curb unauthorised access to medicines listed under Schedules H, H1 and X and prevent their sale without valid prescriptions.
If notified, the proposed amendments would strengthen regulatory safeguards and increase accountability across the drug distribution network.
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