Punjab Newsline | New Delhi
Central Government has made it mandatory to obtain a doctor's prescription for medicines containing more than 12% alcohol by bringing them under the Schedule H1 category. Under the new rule, such medicines cannot be sold over the counter, and pharmacies must maintain detailed records of every sale.
The decision will directly impact several cough syrups and medicinal tonics that contain alcohol. Earlier, many of these products could be purchased without a prescription, but they will now require a valid doctor's prescription.
The move aims to prevent the misuse of alcohol-based medicines as intoxicants. Authorities have previously reported large-scale trafficking and abuse of codeine-based cough syrups in several states.
The amendment has been introduced under the Drugs Rules, 1945, following a draft notification issued in October 2025. After receiving no objections during the public consultation process, the government finalized the rule in consultation with the Drug Technical Advisory Board.
What is Schedule H1?
Schedule H1 is a category under India's Drugs and Cosmetics Act that covers prescription medicines requiring strict monitoring. Pharmacies are legally required to maintain sales records and dispense these medicines only against a valid prescription from a registered medical practitioner.
