Draft Drugs Rules amendment proposes mandatory CCTV at medical stores to tighten sale of Schedule H, H1 and X drugs
The Union Health Ministry has proposed amendments to the Drugs Rules, 1945 through Draft Gazette Notification G.S.R. 791 (E) dated 8 September 2026, recommending mandatory CCTV surveillance at medical stores as an additional safeguard for Schedule H, H1 and X drugs. It is a draft; objections and suggestions are invited.
Key facts
- Published
- 17 September 2026
- Section
- Licences
- What it is
- Comments invited
- In force
- Draft only — G.S.R. 791 (E) dated 8 September 2026; last date for comments not printed in the release
- Who it affects
- Medical stores, chemists and druggists selling Schedule H, H1 and X drugs; pharmacy chains; chemists’ and druggists’ associations
In 30 seconds
- The proposal is in Draft Gazette Notification G.S.R. 791 (E) dated 8 September 2026.
- It recommends mandatory CCTV surveillance at medical stores as an additional regulatory safeguard.
- The stated concern is unauthorised access to and sale of Schedule H, H1 and X drugs, including sale without valid prescriptions.
- The proposal was deliberated by the Drugs Consultative Committee (DCC), then circulated to the Drugs Technical Advisory Board (DTAB), which recommended its approval.
- Objections and suggestions go to the Under Secretary (Drugs), Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, or by email to drugsdiv-mohfw@gov.in.
- The release does not print the last date for comments.
हिंदी में सार
स्वास्थ्य मंत्रालय ने Drugs Rules, 1945 में संशोधन का मसौदा (G.S.R. 791 (E), 8 सितंबर 2026) जारी किया है, जिसमें Schedule H, H1 और X दवाएँ बेचने वाले मेडिकल स्टोर पर CCTV निगरानी अनिवार्य करने का प्रस्ताव है। यह अभी सिर्फ़ मसौदा है, लागू नियम नहीं। आपत्तियाँ और सुझाव Under Secretary (Drugs), स्वास्थ्य मंत्रालय, कर्तव्य भवन-1, नई दिल्ली या drugsdiv-mohfw@gov.in पर भेजे जा सकते हैं; अंतिम तारीख़ रिलीज़ में नहीं दी गई है।
What has been proposed
According to a release dated 17 September 2026, the Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare has proposed amendments to the Drugs Rules, 1945 through Draft Gazette Notification G.S.R. 791 (E) dated 8 September 2026. The objective, as stated, is to strengthen regulatory oversight over Schedule H, H1 and X drugs.
The proposed amendment addresses concerns about unauthorised access to and sale of these drugs, and recommends mandatory CCTV surveillance at medical stores as an additional regulatory safeguard.
How the proposal reached this stage
- It was first deliberated upon by the Drugs Consultative Committee (DCC).
- It was then circulated among the members of the Drugs Technical Advisory Board (DTAB) for deliberation.
- After considering it, the DTAB recommended its approval.
What the Ministry expects from it
The release says that, upon implementation, the amendment is expected to strengthen monitoring of the sale and distribution of Schedule H, H1 and X drugs and to curb their unauthorised access and sale without valid prescriptions. The Ministry also says the CCTV mechanism will enhance transparency and accountability across the pharmaceutical supply chain.
It is a draft — how to respond
| Point | What the release says |
|---|---|
| Status | Proposed amendment; objections and suggestions invited from stakeholders and members of the public |
| Postal address | The Under Secretary (Drugs), Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Government of India, U-6, Work Hall-C Wing, First Floor, Kartavya Bhawan-1, New Delhi – 110001 |
| drugsdiv-mohfw@gov.in | |
| Last date | Not printed in the release |
The release does not describe the technical requirements — where cameras are to be placed, how long the footage is to be kept, or who may ask for it — and does not say from when the requirement would apply if finalised.
What chemists and druggists should do
No CCTV requirement is in force on the strength of this draft. Medical stores that sell Schedule H, H1 or X drugs, and their trade associations, should read G.S.R. 791 (E) for the text of the proposal and the period allowed for comments, and send objections or suggestions to the Under Secretary (Drugs) at the address or email above. Since the release gives no closing date, check the notification itself to see whether the comment period is still open.
Questions and answers
Is CCTV now compulsory at medical stores?
No. The Health Ministry has only proposed it, through Draft Gazette Notification G.S.R. 791 (E) dated 8 September 2026 amending the Drugs Rules, 1945. Objections and suggestions have been invited.
Which drugs is the proposal about?
Schedule H, H1 and X drugs. The release says the amendment seeks to address unauthorised access to and sale of these drugs, including sale without valid prescriptions.
Who recommended the proposal?
It was first deliberated upon by the Drugs Consultative Committee and then circulated to the members of the Drugs Technical Advisory Board, which recommended its approval.
Where can comments be sent, and by when?
To the Under Secretary (Drugs), Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, U-6, Work Hall-C Wing, First Floor, Kartavya Bhawan-1, New Delhi – 110001, or by email to drugsdiv-mohfw@gov.in. The release does not print a last date; the notification has to be checked for it.
Published 17 September 2026. Updated 5 October 2026. This report is for general information and is not professional advice. Read the source document before acting on it.