Centre proposes tighter curbs on advertising of prescription drugs
Under the existing framework, pharmaceutical manufacturers are prohibited from advertising drugs covered under these schedules without prior government approval. However, the corresponding restriction does not explicitly cover entities involved in the retail and wholesale sale and distribution of medicines
The Union Health Ministry has proposed expanding restrictions on advertising of prescription medicines to include drug retailers, wholesalers, and distributors, as outlined in a draft amendment to the Drugs Rules, 1945. This move aims to address a regulatory gap and strengthen oversight of prescription drug promotion, reducing the risk of inappropriate self-medication.
The amendment, notified through Gazette notification G.S.R. 861(E) on September 28, proposes a new sub-rule under Rule 65 that would prohibit holders of licences to sell, stock, exhibit, offer for sale, or distribute drugs listed under Schedules H, H1, and X from advertising these medicines without prior approval from the Central government.
This proposal follows recommendations from the 93rd meeting of the Drugs Technical Advisory Board (DTAB) in February 2026, which examined the need for provisions regulating advertisements by holders of drug sale and distribution licences.
Brief written by urgent.news from The Hindu Health's own syndicated text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
