India to mandate CCTV cameras at pharmacies selling prescription drugs

The Health Ministry has unveiled draft amendments to the Drugs Rules, 1945, that would require CCTV surveillance at all pharmacies dispensing high-risk prescription medications. According to a draft Gazette notification issued on September 8, the mandatory camera installations would apply to outlets selling Schedule H, H1 and X category drugs—classifications reserved for medications requiring strict medical oversight.

The proposal targets a persistent regulatory challenge: unauthorised access to and sale of potent pharmaceuticals without valid prescriptions. By establishing continuous video monitoring at the point of sale, the ministry aims to create an auditable record of all transactions involving these controlled substances, thereby deterring illicit distribution and misuse.

The amendment has already cleared two key advisory bodies. The Drugs Consultative Committee deliberated on the proposal before it was referred to the Drugs Technical Advisory Board for technical assessment. Following their review, the DTAB recommended approval of the surveillance requirement as an additional safeguard to strengthen compliance monitoring.

The ministry contends that mandatory CCTV surveillance will create a documented trail of pharmaceutical transactions, helping enforcement agencies identify and prevent unauthorised sales networks. Health officials believe the measure will complement existing regulatory frameworks and reduce the circulation of prescription drugs through informal channels.