Why government wants CCTV at medical stores, and chemists don’t

The Union Health Ministry has suggested mandatory CCTV monitoring in pharmacies to combat the misuse of prescription medications. The proposal, outlined in a draft notification, also demands that recordings be saved for three months. According to the ministry, this will enable stricter oversight of prescription drugs, particularly those categorized under Schedule X of the Drugs and Cosmetics Rules, 1945. The regulation aims to tackle issues of "unauthorized access to and sale of Schedule H, H1, and X drugs."

Pharmacists, however, have raised concerns about the proposed measure, stating it could become a financial strain for small businesses and infringe on customer privacy. The requirement would not apply to wholesalers. The initiative was initially proposed in 2021 to prevent drug abuse among children, with footage from pharmacies selling Schedule H, H1, and X drugs — including potent antibiotics and psychotropic substances — to be shared with the child welfare police officer in the area.

The Drugs Consultative Committee of the Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation (CDSCO) also explored a mobile app-based information system (MIS), where pharmacists could submit details of sales of these prescription medicines.

During discussions, the committee deliberated whether a new schedule of habit-forming medicines should be created, to enforce stricter regulations in stores selling these addictive prescription drugs. A six-member sub-committee was established to examine the matter. H G Koshia, the committee's head and former commissioner of Gujarat’s Food and Drugs Control Administration, commented that continuous surveillance might create anxiety among pharmacy owners and pharmacists, discouraging them from selling prescription medicines without a prescription to children.

The footage primarily aimed to confirm whether a minor had received a prescription drug without authorization, rather than examining all sales. Although regular inspections may prove challenging, data can be accessed upon receiving a complaint.

The Drugs Consultative Committee decided to proceed with the app-based system and CCTV surveillance plan earlier this year. The committee agreed that a robust MIS or centralized drug portal could be developed, capable of providing real-time data. Additionally, the committee suggested installing CCTV cameras in pharmacies, ensuring they were positioned appropriately to verify sales. The minutes of the committee meeting held in April this year revealed these decisions.

However, the All India Organisation of Chemists and Druggists, representing 12.4 lakh pharmacists, expressed dissatisfaction with the mandatory installation of CCTV cameras. They wrote to the union health secretary, Puniya Salila Srivastava, outlining several objections. Firstly, they argued that the requirement would impose a financial burden on pharmacies, especially smaller ones, noting that the cost of storing the data for three months could reach nearly Rs 1 lakh.

Secondly, they highlighted the challenges posed by power failures and connectivity issues, especially in rural areas. Lastly, they emphasized that the measure would violate patient privacy, as many customers prefer anonymity when purchasing sensitive medications like those for tuberculosis or condoms.