Pharmacists, wholesale traders, and drug distributors may soon be required to obtain permission from the Central Government before advertising certain prescription medications. The Ministry of Health proposes expanding existing restrictions on the advertising of drugs from Lists H, H1, and X to individuals involved in their sale and distribution.
This proposal is significant because regulators have expressed concerns about the promotion of strong prescription drugs, including antibiotics, hormonal preparations, psychotropic substances, anticancer drugs, narcotics, and vital injectable preparations.
The Ministry has proposed introducing a new sub-clause into Rule 65 of the Drug Act of 1945, which states that the advertising of drugs listed in Lists H, H1, or X must not be conducted without prior consent from the central government. This provision will apply to those who hold licenses for the sale, storage, display, offering for sale, or distribution of such medicines.
It is important to note that this proposal does not mean that the advertising of these medications is currently freely permitted. Existing rules on medicines and cosmetics already require prior government approval for the advertising of drugs from Lists H, H1, and X.