Over 70% Mumbai consumers bypass prescriptions when buying medicines

More than seven in ten consumers in Mumbai rarely ask for prescriptions when purchasing medicines, according to a survey that highlights the persistent gap between pharmaceutical regulations and ground-level compliance. The study, which canvassed 3,697 respondents across the city, found that 36% said chemists never refused to dispense medicines without a prescription, while another 35% reported such refusals occurred very rarely.

The data points to a systemic issue in retail pharmaceutical sales, where over-the-counter dispensing of drugs—including those that legally require medical authorization—continues largely unchecked. Industry observers attribute the trend to a combination of factors: consumer awareness gaps, the convenience of purchasing without medical consultation, and inconsistent enforcement at the pharmacy level.

Meanwhile, the Maharashtra Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has intensified its regulatory efforts. The agency initiated action against 880 drug licensees over a three-month period, signaling a push to tighten compliance across the state's pharmaceutical distribution network. However, the survey suggests enforcement actions alone may prove insufficient without parallel measures to shift consumer behavior and strengthen oversight at retail outlets.

Experts argue that addressing the issue requires a multi-pronged approach, including public education campaigns on rational drug use, stricter penalties for errant chemists, and better coordination between regulatory bodies and pharmacy associations to establish uniform prescription-dispensing practices across Maharashtra.