Centre proposes CCTV surveillance in pharmacies to check unauthorised sales

Draft rules require CCTV surveillance for prescription drug sales at licensed premises and mandate that recordings be preserved for a minimum period of three months

The Union Health Ministry has proposed mandatory CCTV surveillance in all medical stores as part of regulations to strengthen oversight of the sale of prescription drugs.

“The supply, otherwise than by way of wholesale dealing of any drug supplied on the prescription of a registered medical practitioner (RMP) shall be made under a CCTV surveillance system installed and maintained for this purpose at the licensed premises,” the draft amendment notified on September 16 stated.

Further, the new rule requires the recordings to be preserved for a minimum period of three months.

The proposed draft amendment seeks to prevent unauthorised access to and sale of Schedule H, H1 and X drugs without valid prescriptions.

Schedule H covers a wide list of over 500 prescription-only medicines, ranging from common antibiotics to other therapeutic drugs that should not be sold without a doctor's prescription.