The Central Government has introduced new rules to ensure safer and more responsible use of medicines among the public. The Ministry of Health and Family Welfare has issued a notification stating that medicines containing more than 12% ethyl alcohol cannot be sold without a doctor’s prescription.
According to the ministry, such medicines will no longer fall under the over-the-counter (OTC) category. Their sale will be allowed only on the basis of a valid prescription issued by a registered medical practitioner.
The decision aims to prevent the uncontrolled use and possible misuse of medicines containing higher levels of alcohol. Under the new guidelines, pharmacists and medicine retailers will also be required to ensure that drugs exceeding the prescribed alcohol limit are supplied only after verifying a valid medical prescription.
The Health Ministry said the move will help promote safe medication practices and strengthen public health protection.
The new regulation is expected to improve monitoring of high-alcohol-content medicines and encourage people to use such products only under medical supervision.
