Health Ministry proposes CCTV surveillance at medical stores selling Schedule H, H1 and X drugs
A draft amendment to the Drugs Rules, 1945 proposes mandatory CCTV surveillance at medical stores to strengthen oversight and prevent unauthorised sale of specified prescription drugs.
Under the proposal, medical stores would be required to install CCTV surveillance as an additional regulatory safeguard.
NEW DELHI: The Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare has proposed amendments to the Drugs Rules, 1945, aimed at strengthening regulatory oversight of Schedule H, H1 and X drugs, including through mandatory CCTV surveillance at medical stores.
The proposal has been issued through Draft Gazette Notification G.S.R. 791 (E), dated September 8, 2026. According to the ministry, the proposed changes seek to address concerns relating to unauthorised access to and sale of these categories of medicines.
Under the proposal, medical stores would be required to install CCTV surveillance as an additional regulatory safeguard. The mechanism is intended to strengthen monitoring of the sale and distribution of Schedule H, H1 and X drugs and help prevent their sale without valid prescriptions.
Proposal considered by DCC and DTAB
The proposal was initially deliberated upon by the Drugs Consultative Committee (DCC) and subsequently circulated among members of the Drugs Technical Advisory Board (DTAB) for consideration.
Following its deliberations, the DTAB recommended approval of the proposal, the ministry said.
The ministry said implementation of the proposed amendment would strengthen monitoring across the pharmaceutical supply chain and improve transparency and accountability in the distribution of Schedule H, H1 and X drugs.
The move is also intended to curb unauthorised access to these medicines and their sale without valid prescriptions, thereby strengthening safeguards for public health.
Public invited to submit objections
The Ministry of Health and Family Welfare has invited objections and suggestions from stakeholders and members of the public on the proposed amendment.
Suggestions may be submitted to 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.
The ministry has also provided an email channel for submissions: drugsdiv-mohfw@gov.in.
The draft notification is available through the e-Gazette portal.
