Panel to finalise list of over-the-counter drugs for sale at general stores

New Delhi: A three-member committee of gynaecologists has been set up to finalise a list of over-the-counter (OTC) drugs that will be available in regular stores near you rather than chemists and shall be available without prescription.

The committee has been asked to finalise the list in the next two weeks.

The panel has been set up under chairmanship of Directorate General of Health Services Atul Goel. Dr Bindu Bajaj, HoD, OBG (Obs and Gynae), Safdarjung Hospital, Dr Ashok Kumar, HOD, OBG, RML Hospital, Dr Reena, OBG, Lady Hardinge Medical College, will submit the list of OTC drugs.

In 2022, India decided to allow sale of certain drugs without the requirement of a prescription as part of a new OTC policy for drugs. The Drugs Technical Advisory Board, the top advisory body on drugs, had approved the new policy. However, it never saw the light of the day.

The aim was to reduce treatment cost and promote self-care without compromising on safety.

Unlike other countries such as the US, UK or China, India does not have a policy to support and regulate distribution, marketing and consumption of OTC drugs.

This, despite commonly used medicines for cough and cold as well as contraceptives being sold over the counter. Neither the Drugs & Cosmetics Act, 1940, nor the Drugs & Cosmetics Rules, 1945, define OTC medicines.

Officials told ET that the list of OTC drugs will soon be notified, based on evidence of their safety, availability and non-habit-forming nature, among others.