India Mandates CCTVs in Pharmacies to Combat Illicit Prescription Drug Sales

In a significant move to tighten oversight on medicine sales, India's Union Health Ministry has proposed mandatory CCTV surveillance at medical stores, as announced in a Draft Gazette notification on September 8, 2026. This initiative aims to curb the unauthorized sale and access of high-risk prescription drugs, particularly those categorized under Schedule H, H1, and X, which include potent antibiotics and psychotropic substances. The proposal requires pharmacies to install cameras to record transactions and retain footage for at least three months, excluding wholesale dealers. This push for enhanced scrutiny comes amidst persistent concerns over the misuse of prescription medicines, with instances of pharmacists selling drugs over the counter without valid prescriptions, contributing to public health crises like antimicrobial resistance. Both the Drugs Consultative Committee (DCC) and the Drugs Technical Advisory Board (DTAB), key advisory bodies on drug regulation, have already deliberated on and recommended approval for this measure, underscoring its urgency. The move also follows earlier efforts to regulate antibiotic sales, such as the introduction of Schedule H1 drugs in 2013 with stricter record-keeping requirements. The proposed amendment is currently open for public feedback, inviting objections and suggestions from stakeholders before it becomes a final law. If implemented, this regulatory safeguard is expected to bring greater transparency and accountability across the pharmaceutical supply chain, creating a verifiable digital trail for prescription drug sales and strengthening public health protections against drug abuse and misuse.