World · India Bureau
India proposes mandatory CCTV surveillance in pharmacies to curb illegal drug sales
New draft regulations will require licensed pharmacies to install closed-circuit television systems to monitor prescription drug transactions. Recording footage must be retained for at least three months under the proposed rules.
LSN India ·
India's central government has unveiled draft regulations mandating closed-circuit television surveillance at licensed pharmaceutical establishments to combat unauthorised sales of prescription medications. The proposed rules seek to strengthen oversight of regulated drug distribution channels and prevent diversion of controlled substances into illegal markets.
Under the framework, pharmacy owners will be required to install CCTV systems capable of recording all transactions involving prescription drug sales at their licensed premises. The surveillance infrastructure must operate continuously during business hours and maintain adequate visual coverage of sales counters and dispensing areas.
A critical component of the draft rules stipulates that all recorded footage must be preserved for a minimum retention period of three months. This requirement aims to enable regulatory authorities and law enforcement agencies to investigate suspected violations and track the chain of custody for prescription medications.
The initiative represents an escalation in regulatory measures targeting India's pharmacy sector, where unlicensed sales of antibiotics, steroids and other regulated drugs have remained a persistent concern. Government officials believe enhanced surveillance will create accountability at the retail level while deterring pharmacists from engaging in illegal transactions that circumvent prescription requirements and dosage guidelines established by medical authorities.