Centre proposes mandatory CCTV surveillance at medical stores, invites responses
Surveillance aimed at strengthening monitoring and preventing illegal sale of Schedule H, H1 and X drugs
The Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare has proposed tighter regulatory oversight of certain prescription medicines by introducing mandatory CCTV surveillance at medical stores selling Schedule H, H1 and X drugs.
While Schedule H covers a broad range of prescription medicines, Schedule H1 includes certain drugs requiring additional monitoring and record-keeping. Schedule X covers a more tightly regulated group of medicines.
New law in draft stage
The proposal is aimed at strengthening monitoring of the sale and distribution of these medicines and preventing their sale without valid prescriptions. However, the proposed CCTV requirement is not yet a law or an enforceable requirement. It is currently part of a draft notification, and the government has invited objections and suggestions from stakeholders and members of the public before taking the proposal forward.
Also read: Deadly narcotic tablets overtake ganja as choice drug of TN youth
The ministry has proposed amendments to the Drugs Rules, 1945, through Draft Gazette Notification G.S.R. 791(E), dated September 8, 2026 to enforce the new proposal.
Why does govt want CCTV surveillance?
According to the ministry, the proposed amendment is intended to address concerns surrounding the unauthorised access and sale of Schedule H, H1 and X drugs. These categories include prescription medicines that are subject to varying degrees of regulatory control.
Also read: Health Ministry ends OTC exemption for syrups in major drug safety reform
The government says CCTV surveillance at medical stores would act as an additional regulatory safeguard.
The proposed system is intended to improve transparency and accountability in the retail sale of these medicines and strengthen monitoring across the pharmaceutical supply chain.
Proposal cleared after DTAB nod
The Health Ministry said the issue was initially deliberated upon by the Drugs Consultative Committee (DCC).
The proposal was subsequently circulated among members of the Drugs Technical Advisory Board (DTAB) for deliberation. After studying it, the DTAB recommended approval of the proposal.
Also read: Lapses in India’s drug regulatory structure, what needs to change: Dr Kafeel Khan
The ministry has now placed the proposed amendment before stakeholders and the public through the draft Gazette notification.
What are Schedule H, H1 and X drugs?
Schedule H medicines constitute a large category of prescription drugs. They include several commonly used medicines such as certain antibiotics, medicines for high blood pressure and steroids. These drugs generally require a prescription from a registered medical practitioner for retail sale.
Schedule H1 contains medicines for which the regulations impose additional monitoring requirements. The category includes certain antibiotics, anti-tuberculosis medicines and other drugs where misuse or inappropriate use is a regulatory concern.
Schedule X represents a more tightly controlled category. It includes certain medicines and substances that require additional safeguards relating to their sale, storage and record-keeping.
Also read: Should homeopathy, ayurveda specialists be called ‘doctors’? The great medical divide
The classification of an individual medicine depends on the applicable provisions of the Drugs Rules and subsequent amendments.
Ministry invites suggestions, objections
Importantly, medical stores must note that the government has only proposed the amendment and not ordered enforcement of CCTV surveillance at this stage.
The notification is a draft, and the ministry has opened a window for objections and suggestions from stakeholders and members of the public. Submissions can be addressed to the Under Secretary (Drugs), Ministry of Health and Family Welfare.
The consultation process gives pharmacies, pharmaceutical industry stakeholders, healthcare professionals and members of the public an opportunity to raise concerns or suggest changes before the proposed amendment is finalised.
Also read: How India is failing to protect affordable medicine access | UK FTA
The government will consider the feedback received as part of the rule-making process. If the amendment is eventually finalised and notified, the final notification will determine the precise requirements and the date from which the new provisions will become applicable.
